Chapters Chapter Two: The angel and the woods (RW)
Nathan groaned to himself as rays of sunlight hit him through the leaves. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around in confusion. For a second he didn't remember where he was, his body screaming in protest at every movement he made. As he sat up the smell of grass and dirt jogged his memory. Nathan remembered the day before, his fathers summon and the supernatural abilities used to break free from Walker Co. The young man had no idea where he was, or even how he got there. He stood up to get a better look at his surroundings and Nathan saw no buildings and no signs of human life.
The mark on his hand had brought him to this place, but he had no idea why. His heart rate increased slightly as he realized he was all alone, his eyes darted back and forth between the trees to look for possible threats. He tried to summon the abilities he had used on his father and the guards, but the mark remained a cold black tattoo. Unless he hadn't seen it for himself he wouldn't even have known it was alive.
When no bear came to maul him Nathan dared to move from his spot underneath one of the birch trees. The branches and twigs above him were broken and looking at them made him wince. His back and sides throbbed with pain as he moved, but nothing was broken. As he started to walk further into the forest he soon came upon a slope that led into a small valley. From where he stood Nathan got a good look over the area and spotted a clearing among the sea of trees. He also spotted a small mountain and a river running through the valley. He thought about it for a second before he headed down the slope, wanting to look around. If he at least had freshwater then he wouldn't die from dehydration.
I turned out the slope was covered in throne bushes. He complained and grumbled as he forced himself down towards the river, the thorns tearing holes into his jeans and jacket. When he finally reached the end of the slope Nathan pulled himself free from the bushes and cursed them. As he walked away from the slope he looked up into the sky and saw a bird of some sort flying ahead. Nathan stopped as he noticed more and more birds flying high up in the sky. The more he looked at the birds the more confused he became since he saw four legs and two wings.
"What in the world-"
Suddenly Nathan was knocked back as something enormous past just over the treetops. The young man scrambled to his feet and looked up to see a creature with red scales fly away from the valley. As the thing rose into the sky he saw its four legs and two wings. The creature's head reminded him of a lizard and its tail had spikes all over it.
"A dragon..." He said in awe.
Nathan stood up, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open as he saw more and more dragons pass over the valley. They came in all kinds of colors, green, red, blue, yellow, purple, and gold just to name a few. Without thinking about it he took a few steps forward to follow the large creature, his eyes locked onto the herd of dragons. He laughed slightly as more of the dragons decided to fly closer to the valley.
"I am very far away from home..." Nathan mumbled to himself and watched as the last couple of dragons fly past the valley.
With the breathtaking scene gone Nathan continued towards the river and clearing. He made his way through bushes and trees, the twigs cutting into his cheeks. When he made it past the wall of green Nathan came across the river he had seen earlier. It was two meters in width and stretched from one end of the valley to the other. He noted how incredibly clear the water looked and he bent down to drink from it. A part of his mind was worried about possible bacteria, but he had no way to boil the water. Nathan cupped his hands and scooped up some of the river water, letting his dry throat be soothed by it. He didn't feel any weird taste from the water and scooped up some more to satisfy his thirst. As he drank from the river he heard a branch snap across the river. Nathan looked up and saw a deer, its black eyes fixated on him. The animal took a tentative step towards the river and bent down to drink. Nathan just watched it intensely, desperately wanting to touch it. He had never been so close to a wild animal despite having lived close to the woods his entire life.
Nathan kept watching the deer drink from the river before it walked away, the boy not moving a single muscle to not spook the creature. He had never understood why some people refused to eat meat but he had seen an animal just a couple of meters away from him, full of life. Part of him understood the vegans now, while another part of him urged him to find something to eat. He heard his stomach rumble with dissatisfaction at missing out a breakfast of eggs and bacon and Nathan decided to make his way to the clearing, he needed a place to stay.
As the birds chirped away their morning songs Nathan made his way across the river and found the clearing. The green grass had plenty of flowers in all different colors growing from it and he saw multiple bees zoom around the open area. Something he hadn't noticed before when surveying the clearing was a white tree at the far end of it. It had plenty of large roots that curled around the ground and its thick branches seemed to be able to carry a house. The tree's red leaves seemed to be locked in permanent autumn as they swayed in the wind. Nathan was drawn to the tree and he made his way to it with quick steps. When he got to the tree Nathan put his hand against its trunk and it almost seemed to pulsate. He quickly pulled away and eyed the tree verily before he looked around his new campsite. The tree could protect him against wild animals at night if he could sleep among its branches and it wouldn't be hard to find stones to build a campfire. He lacked any tools to cut down trees and no matches, however.
"Should I try to start a fire first or find food first?" He mumbled to himself and looked around the clearing.
His rumbling stomach decided for him.
"Food it is then."
Nathan made his way into the area surrounding the clearing and he quickly found berry bushes. The boy took note of them but decided that meat was more important. He groaned in frustration as he realized he lacked any tools to either kill or trap an animal. Defeated Nathan returned to the berry bushes and examined them, he hoped the berries would be okay to eat and not contain any parasites. Nathan picked up one of the berries and examined its blue color. It looked like a blueberry and smelled like one as well. He put the berry into his mouth timidly and bit down, the taste of blueberry filling his mouth and he quickly started picking more and more of the berries. By the time he was done his hands were purple as was his tongue, but the hunger had subsided a little bit. Now he needed to focus on building a campfire or at least try to build a one.
Nathan scavenged the nearby woods for the materials he would need and he carried back rocks and loose branches to the white tree. He arranged the rocks into a circle and added the fuel. He quickly had a campfire established, but he still lacked a way to burn the wood. He thought about all the documentaries he had seen on tv and knew he either needed to make a bow-drill, which he didn't know how to craft or just quickly rub a stick against a piece of wood. Nathan sighed and decided to try rubbing a stick against a piece of wood. The boy rubbed the stick back and forth for many minutes, his hands working furiously to make fire. After fifteen minutes he dropped the stick and panted heavily, his hands numb from the effort and the only thing he had accomplished was a small black spot on the wood. It was progress on his part, but it wasn't good enough. He looked at the stick with a glare and a frown before laying down on the grass, looking up at the blue sky.
"I should have joined the boy scouts..." He muttered and his thoughts drifted to home.
He wondered what Isabella was doing. Did she think he was dead? Had she been forced to see the scene in the company building? Nathan had no idea how she would react to his disappearance. Maybe she would be happy now that he was gone and out of her hair. But a part of him beat that down that thought the same second it arrived. She had always smiled and gone out of her way to spend time with him. He remembered how she used to scold him when he had done something wrong and encouraged his violin playing long after his mother lost her interest. No Isabelle would cry, and the thought of that formed a lump at the back of his throat and an ache in his chest.
Nathan forced the emotions down and sat up, looking around his new home. He was free in the woods, and his father could never force him to do anything as long as he stayed there. Nathan looked upon his campfire and the stick before he started trying to force a flame from it once more. He tried and tried but it was no use. He got no closer to getting a fire started and he gave up on the idea. Thankfully it was warm outside and the summer sun shone down on the clearing. He would most likely not freeze to death at night, but he needed some way to cock his food. As a sudden harsh wind wiped across his face Nathan realized he would need to build some kind of shelter, so he got up and went looking in the woods again. If he couldn't start a fire then he would at the very least keep himself safe from the wind and possible predators.
There were plenty of fallen trees to pick and choose from in the woods and Nathan dragged many of them back to the clearing for his project. By the time he was done his clothes were soaked with sweat and he breathed heavily. He could feel his heart beating at the back of his throat and the taste of blood was prevalent in his mouth. He wished he had played more sports as a kid, but wishing for better stamina wouldn't get him anywhere. With all the materials gathered Nathan started building on his shelter. He found a log with one of its ends shaped like a 'v'. Nathan pushed the old piece of wood into the ground a couple of meters away from the white tree. He put up another log on the V-shaped one before sliding it over to the white tree. He now had a skeleton to build the rest of his home on. Nathan continued working on the shelter as the sun burned his skin and the birds sang. He only stopped to drink from the river and Nathan found it to be quite referishing doing manual labor for once. His father had detested such activities and forced the same view onto him. But as he leaned log after log against the branch it became clear to Nathan that his father just hadn't done an honest day of work in his entire life.
Nathan stood with his chin held high, his shoulders back, and his chest thrust out as he looked upon his new home. Sure, the thing looked ready to fall apart if a gust of wind hit it, but it was his creation. He had built a A-shaped shelter using the logs and it would at the very least shield him from the sun. He could feel his arms and shoulders aching from the exposore to the harsh ball of gas and Nathan climbed into the shelter. It was small, only allowing him to sit on his knees, but it would work for now. He just needed someplace safe where no animals could get him. He looked at the two entrances into the shelter, one by the tree and one by the V-shaped log. He would need to cover up one of them and bind his fragile roof together with wines. He could see the logs tremble as the wind hit them. Nathan was optemistic about the shelter, but he wasn't naive. If he wanted to stay there for longer than a day he would need a home that would crush him during the night.
It was at that moment he heard a rustling from outside. The young man made his way out from the pile of logs and he looked around the clearing. Suddenly the bushes to Nathan's left rustled and swayed like something was moving through them. He grabbed a rock and took a step back, his eyes locked on the bushes and his breahing getting quicker and quicker as the creature in the bushes got closer. He yelped as something exploded out from the bushes and he fell back. Nathan groaned and looked up to see a rabbit looking at him with a tilted head. The animal had snow white fur despite it being in the middle of summer and its red eyes looked like they belonged on a demon.
"Hi there little guy... You scared me," Nathan said and sat up.
The rabbit just growled and revealed rows of sharp white fangs.
"Oh for fucks sak-"
Nathan fell back once more as the minature demon pounced on him. He screamed as it bit into his right arm and growled deeply. It tugged onto his flesh and the Nathan tried to pry it off with his bare hands. The attempt to remove the rabbit only resulted in his hand getting bit. Nathan grabbed a hold of the rock he had dropped in the fall and wacked it into the side of the monster's head. It made a pained squeal but only bit down harder in response. Nathan gave off another scream and threw back his head as white flashed before his eyes. He gritted his teeth and started beating the rabbit with the rock until the it's surface was covered with blood. Suddenly the monster let go and fell over to Nathan's side, a loud thump echoing out over the clearing.
Nathan kicked the animal away from him and quickly crawled back into his shelter. The young man held the wound on his throbbing arm and inhaled sharply. Nathan tried to be as quiet as possible in his hiding place and he only looked outside once he relaized the rabbit wasn't coming back. Nathan slowly got out from the shelter and eyed the dead rabbit as blood ran down his arm. The beast's head was cracked open and its body was limp as a ragdoll, much to Nathan's belief. Once Nathan had made sure it was dead he quickly started to patch himself up. The wound on his arm was deep and the little demon had torn out a good chunk out of it. His left hand hadn't substained serious injuries, but it bleed and throbbed all the same. Nathan didn't think twice before he tore of a piece of cloth from his shirt and wrapped it tightly around the wound on his right arm. Blood just leaked through the cloth however and he could feel a lump starting to form at the back of his throat. He took a shakey breath and put his bleeding left hand against the wound before he sat down on the grass.
He would bleed out becuase of a rabbit, his death would be caused by a fucking rabbit. Nathan could feel his nostrails flaring at the thought of that and he growled. He wanted to finish his shelter. He wanted to start a fire. He wanted to cook the rabbit and eat the little bastard. But most of all he wanted to live. As if it responded to Nathan's call the mark on his right hand suddenly glowed a bright green. He didn't have time to react before he felt his body grow heavy and his breathing only came out as shallow gasps. He fell onto his back and desperately tried to get oxygen into his lungs, clawing at his throat with his left hand. He could see what looked like liquid green light form around his right hand and it poured down towards his injured arm. He screamed as the strange energy forced itself into the wound and his skin felt like it was on fire. He wished for death as the burning sensation only got worse and his vision grew black due to the lack of oxygen. It felt like a car had been placed on his chest and he couldn't even scream, his voice nothing more than a hoarse squeal.
Just as quickly as the sensation had come it disapeared. Nathan gasped for air and choughed violently, a black tar like substance running down his chin. He sat up and curled up into a ball like a scared child, his eyes flicking around the clearing for answers. His haze landed on the mark on his hand, the green glow slowly fading away. A part of him wanted to cut the mark off his hand, despite the fact it had helped him escape his father. But his angry snarl soon turned into wide eyes and an open jaw as he looked at his arm.
"Oh my god..."
The wound was no longer there. The only thing that remained was a nasty scar that ran across the area the rabbit had bit him and the blood on his clothes. Nathan tentivly toutched the area before he let out a quiet laugh which erupted into cheering. He stood up and swirled around, a large smile plastered across his face as he eyed the miracle on his arm. He had seen it do fantstical things before, but the mere idea it could heal him astonished Nathan. The pain the process had brought on was still fresh in his mind however and he never wanted to experince that again. He made a mental note of being more careful in the woods in the future and he then turned to the failed campfire.
It was time he got a fire started.
Nathan worked just as hard as he had done before, only now he didn't quit when his muscles and lungs burned. He pushed through it and continued rolling the stick between his hands until he saw a tiny bit of smoke appear on the dry piece of wood. He cheered when a small flame finally grew on the firewood and he blew on it gently to get it bigger. Slowly the fire grew bigger until he had finally aquired a proper fireplace. The young man grinned at his acomplishment and then looked at the rabbit.
How did you skin an animal? What parts were you even supposed to remove?
Nathan swore to himself and kicked the rabbit for good messure. He really should have joined the boy scouts.
Author's Note
And so chapter 2 has been rewritten. I am adding one or two extra chapters about Nathaniel's time in the woods to make his survival more believable and to better explore his charcater. I hope you enjoyed it
Chapter Three: The angel and the wolf (RW)
Nathan was awoken by pain from his stomach and his body feeling like a pack of ice. He got up from the ground and rushed outside of his shelter. He stumbled forward before puking up all the content of his stomach. Nathan felt cold and lightheaded like someone had been slowly sapping what energy he had left since the day before. He could see that his hands had turned red over the night and his lips felt swollen. The young man slowly made it back to his shelter and sat down, holding his stomach. It felt like someone was playing with his intestines like they were strings on a banjo and Nathan could only let out a whimper in pain. He rested for a couple of minutes before he slowly pulled himself up, his blurry gaze sweeping over the clearing. It seemed to be early morning, as the sun was rising in the east and there were still embers left of his campfire. His legs felt like they were made from lead and his head had gone beyond the clouds. He got out of the shelter and took some very wobbly steps towards the river, almost tripping several times. His chest felt hollow and his arms burned, only making his already shallow breathing worse. Nathan managed to drag himself to the water's edge after a few minutes of stumbling and he started to drink as a man possessed. Then cold water soothed his stomach ache slightly and it helped him focus on his surroundings a bit more.
"I am going to die out here..." Nathan mumbled before cupping his hands to drink more water.
What would Isabella tell him to do? She likely would have told him to find some better shelter and people who could cure his sickness. But there were no other people around and Nathan hadn't seen a single building for miles. The only thing of note he had seen was a dragon, and that alone told him there was no big city nearby. There may not even be people in this new strange world. Even if Nathan tried to find others he couldn't even go looking for signs of civilization. He still had a hard time moving his legs and even now he felt like the world was moving more slowly in his peripheral. It was with great effort he dragged himself back to the shelter and his smoldering fireplace, the embers crackling and flying into the sky. He needed to put more fuel on the fire eventually before it burned out completely, but right now he felt too much like a sick dog to do anything. Before Nathan knew it he was passed out on the floor of his shelter, his breathing shallow.
When Nathan woke up it was late in the afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and the summer warmth spread across his shivering body. His stomach grumbled and stabbed at his innards, not unlike a dagger digging out a pit in his flesh. He curled up into a ball and nausea hit him. He gagged for a few seconds before being breathed heavily, tears running down his face. He tried to sit up but all his muscles felt like they were made off-air. Whatever had been in those berries were killing him, slowly but surely. He needed to get hold of food soon or he wouldn't even be able to wake up the next time he fell asleep.
He looked at the charred remains of his campfire and crawled towards it. There were some tiny red spots left in the ashes and he grabbed a bundle of sticks. Nathan breathed hard, the muscles in his arm tensing as he brought the firewood over to the campfire. He put it down with a huff, laughing pitifully at himself as he tried to sit up. He moaned and groaned, but eventually, he sat upright and started blowing gently on the embers. Grey ash flew up into the sky but Nathan could clearly see the remaining heat slowly feeding on the new wood. He continued blowing on the embers and more grey ashes flew up into the sky, some of it getting caught in his long hair. Nathan was ready to give up when a small flame erupted from the sticks and a small smile graced his pale face. He held out his numb hands over the small flame and shuddered as the warmth spread across his frozen limbs.
Not even the summer sun warmed him as much as his little campfire.
Nathan spent the coming hours working himself ragged. His hands and feet wanted nothing but burying themselves in the dirt and his head had a hard time standing straight on his shoulders like he was a mannequin with limbs made from stone. But thanks to his hard labor he had a decent sized pile of branches and sticks by the time the sun fell on the horizon. As he had dragged himself through the trees and undergrowth to find firewood Nathan had also picked up several mushrooms. He sat by the fire and rubbed his new food source against the skin on his arm, hoping that they would also turn red like his hands if the shrooms were toxic. After he had waited for an hour he couldn't help himself and he put most of the mushrooms on a stick and cooked them over the fire. He gagged at first at the horrid smell they gave off and his stomach lurched, but he had nothing left to puke up. After a few minutes of cooking, Nathan pulled back his stick and sniffed the mushrooms. They had lost most of the gag-inducing smell and some of them even smelled good. His stomach grumbled and he licked his lips as his fingers tentatively grabbed one of the warm shrooms. Nathan almost dropped it from how hot it was, but he quickly blew at it until it cooled down somewhat. After he was certain it wouldn't give him any third-degree burns the young man simply tossed the thing into his mouth.
"Oh that's good," he moaned and chewed on the spongy thing with glee.
He had never starved before in his entire life, nor had his stomach ever rebelled against him as it had a few hours prior. But he knew he never wanted to go hungry again, and barely a day had passed without him finding proper food. Would he even last more than a couple of days if this continued? Nathan stopped mid-chew and looked around the clearing for any signs of animals or more mushrooms. If he could kill another rabbit and somehow skin it then maybe he wouldn't starve. With the mushrooms and clean water, he could last a couple of days, hopefully. But he desperately needed meat, so it seemed he would be forced to learn how to hunt.
After finishing his meal Nathan grabbed one of the thicker sticks he'd collected and looked it over. He grabbed a rock and began to whack it against the end of the stick, the wood splintering. He sat hunched over his work, focused on the task before him. He continued to beat the stone against the stick until he started to see it be sharpened. The teen would burrow the stick into the ground before he pulled it out. The easier it slipped into the soil the sharper it was. So he continued working, eventually getting a stick with a sharp end. He would rise from his seated position and grin, eyes sparkling. Nathan would jab the stick into the air, testing it. While it wouldn't be a weapon against a wolf or bear, he had now had a spear. Now he could try to fish in the river.
The teen would drag himself over to the water and seat himself by the edge of the water. He would remove his shoes and stick his feet into the water. Nathan pulled his feet back and swore, he hadn't expected the cold feeling of the water. He had hoped on something more akin to a warm spring, not an ice bath. With a mutter, the teen would walk into the water, and look around. Most of the fishes he saw were too small to be eaten, but there was one fish that seemed large enough to sustain him for a while. It held blue scales that shimmered in the sunlight and its eyes were focused upon his feet. The animal swam closer before swiftly turning around, hiding between some rocks. The fish would repeat this pattern, retreating to the rocks whenever it got close. Nathan was frozen like a statue, arms raised above his head, spear pointing at the creature. He took a step closer and the fish was spooked, twisting its body and furiously beating its tail-fin. It returned to the rocks and waited. Its glistening jelly eyes seemed to stare right through him, the fish openings mouth and releasing a few bubbles. Nathan remained still as he waited for it to move once more, shuddering slightly as the water pooled around his feet.
"I am really hungry... Come here little guy..." he called, green eyes locked onto the fish.
Slowly the animal started swimming back, wanting to repeat its pattern. The young man took this as his chance to strike, bringing down the spear upon the fish. He burrowed the spear right next to the fish and it swam away in fear, this time fleeing down the river.
"Shit..."
Nathan would stick around for a while longer, waiting for the fish to return or for a new one to appear. But there was no new prey that fell into his lap. So the teen made his way back to his shelter and put away the spear. The heat from the sun was burning his neck and making a thin layer of sweat stick to his body. The young man would wipe his forehead before he sat down onto the grass, looking around his shelter. Nathan would sigh and fall back into the grass, looking up at the blue sky. The wind cooled his body and the birdsong made him smile, yet there was no food and no real protection. He didn't know what he could do to survive out in the woods. Perhaps he could wander until he found better shelter, but that could take him several days of walking in random directions. He would much rather be close to water than have a cave or something similar to sleep in.
With a sigh, Nathan would stand up and look around. He was gonna have to live off caps for now. In time his skills with catching fishers would get better and maybe he even would be able to catch one of those hares and cook it. His mouth watered as he thought about the juicy meat of the rabbit. It didn't matter that he didn't actually know how to skin it or which parts were edible, he just wanted its meat so badly. Nathan would grab his spear once more, look towards the river, and head back once more.
He needed to try again.
The coming tow days were filled with the same routine. Nathan would look around in the woods for animals he could kill, either finding nothing or being to slow to catch an animal. When his attempts at hunting failed he tried spear-fishing. He would never be quick enough to catch any of the larger fishes. Small fishes that were barely larger than his hand became his only source of meat, and they didn't stave off the hunger. The mushrooms didn't make him sick as the berries had, and by then the worst pain had gone away. But he still didn't eat enough to curb the hunger. As he laid on his back trying to sleep it gnawed in his side, demanding more food. Nathan was certain it would slowly drive him mad. The constant awareness of just how empty his stomach felt. The loneliness that became more and more apparent the longer he spent time in the forest.
It was during his fourth night in the woods that he was certain he'd gone mad. It sounded like people talking in the distance, and the constant howling of a wolf made him scrounge his eyes shut and cover his ears. Yet, the sounds didn't fade. If he looked outside his shelter into the night sky he could see the moon's soft light covered by a stream of smoke. The sounds were faint, but he was almost certain that there were people nearby. The fireplace outside the shelter was still glowing softly, providing some light. Nathan would crawl out of his makeshift home, clothes covered in dirt, and stumble in the direction of the sounds. He walked for a few minutes, being forced to lean on trees to not fall. Nathan was very tired, and his green eyes seemed to have a hard time staying open.
It was at this point he heard the crackling of firewood and saw a soft orange light among the trees. Nathan would hunch down and sneak forward, the light growing ever stronger. The voices grew in strength as well, one distinctly female and the other being male. Finally, Nathan would reach the source of the sound. The teen hid behind some bushes and slowly peeked over them, his eyes widening. No, he had gone mad. The sight before him made no sense in anything but a fever dream. Maybe those mushrooms had been bad after all. Because the sight before him made no sense. He had seen a dragon a few days prior, but this?...
"Can you not just make it shut up?" asked a small pastel-colored horse, dressed in thick cloth.
"Do you want me to break its jaw? I don't have anything to keep its mouth shut," A griffin responded, he too dressed in thick pieces of cloth.
A wolf cub was in between them, locked away in a metal cage.
Nathaniel looked at it all with stunning realization. They were talking, like people. These two were having a conversation like everything was completely normal. He felt like his chest rose faster and faster, slowly backing away. He needed to get away, he needed to-
"Is the food ready yet?"
He froze in the middle of a step. He looked towards their fire and now he noticed a small pot hanging from a stick above it. Whatever was in it smelled divine. Nathan watched as the griffin picked up the lid and stirred what looked to be stew within the pot. The griffin picked up the ladle, brought it to his beak, and tasted it. Now when the griffin stood right next to the fire Nathan could admire his black and brown feathers, mixing together to create a beautiful pattern. The horse was a very unnatural color, however, having shades of purple in its coat. Nathan watched them both, waiting for them to grab a bowl and fill it with food. The wolf cub howled, promoting the mare to kick its cage.
"Quiet! For the love of Celestia, I am so tired of hearing that thing complaining! If it continues I WILL kill it," she grumbled.
"It is a dire wolf for crying out loud! Do you know how much that little guy will sell for among Canterlot's nobles? Think about all those bits and those sounds become all the more pleasurable!" the griffin laughed and ate his stew.
"Oh, you're horrible," she said with a grin and started eating herself.
Nathan just silently watched. He got eye contact with the wolf for a second, the small cub whimpering and pawing at its cage. It was a pitiful display of weakness, and the human wouldn't lie and say it didn't make him feel something. His heart ached a bit as he looked at the little thing struggle against the confines of its cage, biting and pushing against the locked doors.
But he was here for other reasons.
Nathan would continue watching from the bushes as the horse and griffin continued to jest and annoy one another. Eventually, they would lay down to sleep. The wolf cub had given up at this point, only whining ever so often. Nathan would leave his hiding spot, crouching low. He took a gentle step forward, letting the moonlight and the remnants of the fire light his way. The griffin snored loudly, sleeping on his belly. Nathan would eye the horse next, but she too was sleeping soundly. They both laid close to each other, the griffin's hand firmly clasped around the horse's flank. Were they... Oh, that was a disgusting thought. He tried to wipe it from his mind but it was everywhere.
Nathan would shake his head and make his way over to the pot. He would look around for a clean bowl before he gave up and picked up one of the used ones. He would open the lid of the cauldron and sigh as the warmth and heavenly smell hit his face. His green eyes sparkled for a second and he began pouring the warm stew into his bowl. He immediately began heaving the food into his mouth. Nathan moaned in delight as he ate of the stew until the wolf cub howled. The little thing made more whines and struggled against its metal prison. Its blue eyes stared right into Nathan's green ones. For a second there was silence before the little thing continued to howl.
"Shut it!" the horse slurred.
The griffin just mumbled.
Nathan would immediately bend down by the cage and put a finger over his mouth. "Shhhhh! Quiet!"
He kept his voice to a hiss and looked over his shoulder at the two sleeping figures. His gaze would turn back to the whining cub, pawing at the door to its cage. How had they even captured it? It was unlikely they just strolled up to a pack of wolves and grabbed it. It was then his eyes landed upon the racks around camp. Grey furs hung on the racks and the smell of blood was nearby. The color drained from Nathan's face as he looked down at the stew in his hands. He looked into the eyes of the cub, a sad whine escaping its mouth.
"Oh god... I didn't... I am so sorry..." he mumbled and threw the bowl to the side.
What sort of cruel fucking disgrace of a person would do such a thing? He knew that hunting was vital for survival but this was just cruel...
"I am getting you out of there, hang out," he whispered to the wolf.
The cub whined in response.
Nathan would look over the cage, noting that it was locked. He pulled on the small cage door wit all his might, knuckles turning white and face reddening. He grunted and continued to pull, the cub pushing its head against the door as well. Finally, Nathan pulled back, panting, and looked towards the two sleeping figures nearby. Maybe one of them had the key? But it would be safer to just pick up the cage and carry it off, but how was he then supposed to open it? He couldn't bash it open, it was made from steel! He sighed and looked over the cart the horse and griffin had brought with them. Nathan found many different supplies, like a knife, sewing supplies, and cooking appliances. There even was a spear! Oh if he only had time to take it all...
The cub howled.
"Shut up!" the horse yelled and stood up.
Nathan quickly ducked behind the wagon, peeking over the side to keep an eye at her.
"It will fall asleep, just ignore it..." the griffin mumbled.
"Yeah, I bet it will fall asleep when I slit its throat," she growled in response.
"Think of the bits honey, think of the bits..." he would grab a hold of her leg and pull on her back towards him.
For a second the horse glared at the wolf cub, who seemed to cover from her glare.
"Fine."
The horse would once more lay down, this time much more awake and ready. Nathan watched as she closed her eyes and the griffin pulled her close. Nathan scrunched his nose before he continued looking through the wagon. Not a single key in sight. He looked towards the two figures once more and sighed, he would sit down and wait, keeping an eye on the mare. He grabbed the knife as he watched her, and once he was certain she was asleep once more he snuck towards the two hunters. Nathan would move slowly until he finally reached the two, flinching at the smell the two creatures gave off. It reminded him of rotten flesh and herring as if the two had lived outside for a decade. He gagged yet continued to look over them, trying to find keys of some kind.
Then he spotted some of the griffin's belt.
The shone in the moonlight and Nathan could practically feel his fingers itching towards them. He grabbed ahold of the keys and tugged, eliciting a groan from the feathered beast. The keys almost seemed stuck, like no amount of tugging would free them.
"Come on..." he hissed and pulled on the keyring harder.
Then it finally loosened, undoing the griffin's belt.
Nathan quickly backed away from the sleeping couple and held up a hand, closing his eyes. He was prepared for one of them to wake up and attack him, yet they both continued to sleep soundly. He breathed a sigh in relief and hurried towards the cage. As he began fiddling with the keys trying to unlock the cage the wolf cub licked his hands through the bars. It whined in excitement as he human finally undid the lock and let the cub out.
"We need to leave, ok? They might wake up," he whispered and began to rise.
It was then his world exploded into white.
He felt something slam into the back of his head, sending him face-first into the wagon. He hit the ground with a groan and turned around to see the small horse, standing over him with a grin.
"You're too loud, monster," she said and spat on the ground.
Nathan watched as the wolf cub growled and launched itself at the horse. She simply kicked it away, making it whine in pain as it hit the ground. With a growl Nathan pushed himself to his feet, brandishing the knife. The horse eyed him for a second like she held a curiosity about what he was. Before he could even say anything however she slammed into him and they fell onto the ground, the knife bouncing away. Nathan felt a hoof slam into his face and cried out in pain. He grabbed ahold of the horse and tried to push her off, but she simply pushed him down on the ground again. Suddenly the wolf cub reappeared from the bush, jumping at the horse. It bit down on her leg and growled, tearing through skin and fur. The horse screamed and tried to push the wolf away, only for the Griffin to grab it and tear it off. Nathaniel saw the gleam of steel in the darkness and began to crawl.
"Mist! It is going for the knife!" the Griffin yelled as he tried to hold onto the wolf.
The wolf in turn bit into the griffin's leg.
As the griffin was distracted Natan wrapped his hands around the handle of the knife. Nathan looked behind him to see the horse running towards him with a spear in her mouth. He didn't think. He just thrust out his hand, and then there was a cry of pain. He watched as crimson rivers traveled down his right arm, and the horse stumbled back, gasping and crying out. He saw a deep red gash through her clothes and she fell to the ground. Blood ran down the side of her mouth, there was so much of it soaking through the garments one could think they had always been red. Nathan laid there with wide eyes, panting and shaking. He felt his lip quiver as he looked at the dying animal, crying out for her griffin companion. The griffin simply let go of the wolf and rushed to her side.
"Mist! Mist! Oh, gods above!" the griffon held and shook her as she wheezed and coughed blood.
Nathaniel started running. The wolf followed. The human was crying, wildly breaking through the tree branches, His heart was beating quickly and the whole forest seemed to have gone quiet. No owl hooted, no firefly buzzed, no predator stalked. It was like the dark branches tried to reach for him.
"I'm sorry!" Nathan felt the salty streaks reach his neck as he ran. "I am so sorry...."
Before he had even spent a week in this new world Nathaniel had committed a cardinal sin. He had murdered someone.
Author's Note
After much delay here is the rewritten third chapter of the story. Already Nathan's story has changed quite a bit, and this is just one of many changes I plan to bring to the story. Stay tuned for more.
//Lux
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Chapter Four: The angel and the princess (Edited)
Nathaniel woke up with a groan, holding his throbbing head. What had hit him? The last thing he remembered was running away from something before getting knocked out. He should really start learning to look around when he run in the woods, it might just save him a migraine or two.
Opening his eyes was a mistake, the light making him close them in pain. It felt like someone had turned on the brightest mode of a powerful flashlight, if said flashlight was aimed directly into his eyes. He could still hear and feel his surroundings though, the floor a cold metal sheet with the walls being made of the same materials just with holes in it. He was confused until he heard the sound of hooves, what in the?..
The realization of having been hunted by those ponies flared up in his mind, making his headache even worse. The human had been hunted by those mini horses, trying to save Blaze, only to then be knocked out. It could only mean one thing, he was captured. That was not a great thing to wrap your mind around as he immediately opened his eyes, the light not as bad this time, and saw that he indeed was in a cage.
"What the fuck? Hey! Hey LET ME OUT!" Nathaniel yelled and punched the hole covered wall.
The same second his fist made contact with the flat surface a blue shimmer covered it like some sort of shield. He was about to question it before recognizing the energy, magic. Of course the cage had extra protection in the form of a magical force field, it was almost like they wanted to keep him in there.
He tried to kick on one of the cage walls which had light leaking in from it's edges, meaning it was probably the door. It did the same thing, a blue shimmer covering the surface and stopping any contact with the metal cage. It was an annoying problem as the floor and roof shared the same enchantment.
In the end he gave up and leaned against the cold wall behind him, the rays of sunlight coming through the breathing holes lightning up the dark cage. A sigh escaped his lips as white mist, the cold wind suddenly blowing through the caves making him shiver. His black coat of wolf fur was nowhere to be seen, they did know he needed that to survive right? Or maybe they just wanted him to suffer.
The sudden noise of whining next to him brought him out of his thoughts and he looked through the holes next to him, spotting the blue eyes of Blaze. The happiness he felt for seeing the pup alive and well washed away when he saw the wolf clawing at the metal box just for its claws to meet the blue shimmer.
Blaze sat in his own smaller box next to Nathaniel's, whining sadly as he couldn't get to his owner. The human could just barely see the wolf's eye through a hole in the small box that that was aligned with a hole in his own larger cage. It made him feel anger as he watched the pup mewl in sadness when it couldn't get to him.
After a while Nathaniel couldn't stand it anymore and crossed his legs, taking a meditate position as he took a mental grip of the magical flow in his body. He could feel Blaze right next to him and the he could "see" the cart that was used to carry them towards the unknown destination.
The human could feel the signs of life around him, Blaze being recognized because of how much time the wolf had spent next to him in earlier meditate sessions. He could feel a pony on top of his cage, this one special for some reason as it stood out from the rest. It was a smaller pony, or at least he assumed it was a pony, and it's magical signature seemed to give him the sensation of.. hunger?
From what he could tell there was fifteen ponies around the cart, two of which seemed to be pulling it. They were still in the woods as he could feel the trees around him but as they had no problem getting through the forest he assumed they were on a path. He could feel the cold that the air carried both on his body and through the magic in the air, or at least he assumed it was magic in the air, it acted almost like invisible spoors. It was there and stuck to you while reacting with the world around it.
But the most confusing discovery of his meditation session was the fact that there was actually sixteen ponies around him. The reason he had missed the sixteenth before was because Nathaniel had assumed it was the sun, the bright glow from the creature leaking through the cage.
This pony was taller then the rest, even if it was not by a lot. It seemed to be carrying something long with a bent angel at one end on its back, possibly the thing he had been hit with? Curse that.. what was it really? The young man couldn't really come up with a good name for it. It seemed to have wings on its sides but a horn sticking out from its head. If you added on the bright magic signature one could assume this was a powerful being.
The picture his mind painted for him as his magic searched the surrounding area was that of a grey pony-ish shape that had a horn and wings. It probably had colour in real life but from what he could gather it could only have one name, pegacorn. Sure, it sounded silly. But he was being kidnapped by a bunch of ponies, so silly was the new normal.
"Could you get off my cage? You're blocking the mental image of the sun" Nathaniel said calmly to the pony on the cage who yelped and jumped down the open area next to the human's box cage.
"You can see me? Those holes shouldn't be showing you too much" A female voice muttered as a pair of big red eyes stared into one of the holes to his left.
"Your magic makes you stand out. Most of the others are the same with the exception of one who speaks of anger and another that speaks of power" He said biding his time.
They had refused to answer to his angry screams, so a calm voice and knowing some secret information might get them to speak with him. If they didn't decide he was to scary and just end him in this cage. He could see it actually, the ponies just throwing the cage off a cliff because he creeped them out. The thought was just slightly amusing (or was he finally going mad? Took his brain a while).
"Y-You can feel our magic?.." The voice asked as Nathaniel could feel her sit down next to the cage, her wings not made from feathers, his mental image made them look more like leather.
"Yeah I can. Give me enough time to focus and I can pick all of you up" The young man said and the pony next to his cage gasped, if it was in fascination or horror was uncertain.
Of course it was a lie, he couldn't pick them all up, something like that would knock him out if he even tried. But the ponies didn't need to know that. All they needed to know was that he could hurt them, he needed them to stand back a bit if his escape plan was gonna work.
"So what made me stand out?" The mare asked and Nathaniel could sense a set of keys hanging from her side.
"Your hunger" The human replied as a soft green glow slowly enveloped the keys hanging from her flank.
Nathaniel had to be careful, he needed her to keep her focus on him if he was to get those keys. Yet that meant feeding her information or stories, which he could do. Who cares if this random bat pony thing knew about his meditation, as long as he could get himself and Blaze out of there he wouldn't care.
"Oh, well I guess I haven't eaten today" The sanguine mare said as the keys were slowly unattached from her belt.
'Yeah, keep chatting with the prisoner. He'll soon gonna tear you a new one for hurting his friend' He grumbled in his mind.
Blaze was just sitting in his own little cage and he eyed the human's box, wondering why there was waves of magic coming off him. The wolf pup's confusion was picked up by a certain princess and in a split second the keys were pulled out of Nathaniel's magical grasp.
He opened his eyes and cursed as the mare next to him scrambled away to be lectured by a drill-sergeant kind of dude. It didn't really matter to Nathaniel, he had failed to get himself and the wolf out of the ponies grasp. It made his heart sink and he dropped his calm posture as he started to beat on the cage in anger.
"Fuck you! Let me out! I didn't do anything to any of yo..!" The young man started only for the cage to suddenly make a beeping sound.
He didn't understand what it was at first before the entire box suddenly lit up and small lightning bolts hit him from all directions. Nathaniel screamed in pain as he was shocked, Blaze howling and trying to get to him in a panic as his screams filled the road they traveled on.
It stopped fairly quickly but his mind was fog by then, trying to cling to consciousness as he could hear angry shouts from all around him. He got up from the metal sheet ground and panted as he held his bare arms that now held burns from whatever spell that had been. Yet he could only feel one thing at that moment he had tried to push away the same second he woke up, fear .
This was different then the fear of death by starvation, this was fear for what they might do to him. This was fear for the pain they might inflict on him and the wolf pup. This fear gripped his heart more than his anger for being taken from his camp and attacked. It burrowed into his mind and made him think about all the ways they could break him.
Nathaniel ended up pulling his knees to his chest and fighting back the tears. He was just a kid, he never wanted this. Why had they grabbed him? Why had they attacked him? Was all of this because he lived too close to their village or something? He could move! The human just didn't want the shocks to start up again.
Princess Luna's POV
I walked behind the group of royal guards that bad been sent to pick up the beast. I knew that they would be more calm now when we were almost back at the castle grounds, many of them already planning for the next time they could see their families and loved ones.
Yet the best sign of showing that the group had relaxed was lieutenant Rose laying on top of our prisoners cage, without a care in the world as she fluffed up her already thick fur to combat the snowflakes falling from the sky. I giggled as she unconsciously started to swat after them with her wings, already enjoying the young sanguine's presence.
When I looked up on the sky I could see some clouds breaking up, leaving us with rays of sunlight warming our frozen bodies. The sight was beautiful and I had to give Tia some praise later for letting the sun break through the Everfree clouds. There was not many things that affected the Everfree forest after Discord had rampaged through the country.
It was at this point the creature woke up, our caravan of sixteen all hearing the groans coming from the cage. It seems I hit him to hard with my scythe, I would have to apologize later when we were sure he wouldn't hurt any of our subjects. The small group that had made it from the wolves' cave had been sure he was gonna try to eat them, but I wondered.
"Hey! Hey let me out!" I could hear the creature yell, but I ignored it for now, my orders clear.
Major Fury was still with our group sadly, walking next to the brown wagon that was being pulled along on the white marble road. The spell placed on the stone made sure to melt any snow landing on it, making it very wet at some places but still visible.
The tall trees that surrounded us swayed in the wind, making me shudder slightly. I really hope all the fireplaces in the castle were still will be burning when we get home, I needed a bath and a good book after being out here for over a week. This creature had covered its tracks pretty well, yet with the help of Rose and Osiris we had found him in the end.
I looked back at the caravan, five ponies on each side walking next to the wagon as it was flanked by me. With the two guards pulling the wagon along we only had three guards at the front, out of which one was Osiris. The brown gold stallion limped along, at times our medic (who was now completely dressed in her light armor) helping him stand. The wolf had fought well.
Speaking of the wolf, it was howling and yipping at the creature's cage, low murmurs being heard from inside before our prisoner slammed its fist into the enchanted walls of the cage. After many strikes and kicks he finally gave up and I relaxed, only to feel a huge burst of magic flare up into the air.
Looking at the cage I could feel the power from within. It was restrained, unfocused and untrained. Yet power like that spoke of great potential, potential that the wild had shaped so far. I knew how self taught mages were the most powerful and dangerous of their kind. They could use magic just as easy as breathing, but often lacked the skill to utilize this talent.
As the minutes went on the focus of the creature went to all of us, seemingly looking through the guards and me by manipulating the raw mana in the air. The amount of patience someone had to have to achieve something like that was impressive, I was lost in my observations before spotting Lieutenant Rose jump of the cage with a confused look.
A conversation was started between the prisoner and the sanguine mare, the pony sitting there and listening to whatever the creature was saying with interest. This seemed to indicate our prisoner was smart enough to stop his attempts at breaking out, or maybe he just feared what we would do if he continued.
It was then I noticed it, a split second too late, Rose's keys being pulled towards the cage. A green aurora was surrounding them, so he could use simple spells as well then? If he had learned all of this on his own we might have to put him in the dimitrium cell just to make sure he didn't unlock anything with magic.
My own fascination of the bold creature was disturbed as the keys were suddenly surrounded in a red glow and pulled away from the hole in the cage they were threatening to disappear into. Not that it would have worked, the barrier would have stopped the keys before they could reach our prisoner's hands.
Major Fury yelled up a storm at the bat pony mare who covered from his rage before the creature once again lost its composure, hitting the cage and yelling at us all. This was enough to make the older stallion light up his horn, a blue gem on the cage's front door glowing and making a soft ding sound in return.
I threw myself at the cage as the screams began, the stallion having turned on the shock spell at the highest power it would go. As I ran towards the cage the guards were in shocked silence, all of their ears pressed against their heads as the screams of pain continued.
I let my scythe's blade drag on the ground for a second before deliver an uppercut strike to the gem, splitting it in half and ending the spell. I agreed that trying to steal the keys deserved some sort of punishment but that had been enough to kill a pony! I was gonna have to force Celestia into firing him, it didn't matter how good of a mage or commanding officer he was.
The wolf had been howling non stop as our prisoner had been electrocuted, but now it was just whimpering and pawing at the wall of its cage. It was a sad display and I wanted to let it out, but considering how it had injured Osiris the pup would most likely do it again if released.
"Major Fury, thou are relived of thee duty. Thou will return to Celestia and explain what happened here. We will know if thee have lied" I said and my blue eyes flashed yellow for a second, making the stallion back off before huffing and teleporting.
The castle was close enough for teleportation, which meant we would soon be back inside the warm comfort of home. It could only hope that the crying creature we had captured would calm down, so far he seemed to less of a threat than Major Fury, but so did Discord all those years ago.
Clearing my head from sad memories I soon saw the great walls around the castle rise up from the ground. The black and grey castle not reflecting all the colours and life inside. A smile touched my lips as we soon reached the gates and were let into the courtyard, leaving the woods behind.
Lieutenant Rose was talking very softly with our prisoner, slowly calming him down as we soon got the cages into the castle. The warmth that washed over me made me sigh in pleasure as my frozen bones could finally stop being so damn tense. I wanted to order the maids to fill a bathtub with hot water now, but we had to clear up this situation first. I just hoped that we could end this without anyone else getting hurt.
~Nathaniel's POV~
As he was carried to the castle with Blaze whining next to him he couldn't help but cry. The human was terrified of them starting up the electric shocks again. It had been the most painful thing in his life and any false calm he had built up was gone. He just wanted to survive, could he please be allowed to return to his camp?
When the mare he had spoken to earlier spoke calming things to him it had helped a little, stopping his crying but not his fear. Maybe one of them would take pity on him and let him go. Nathaniel just wanted them to at least release Blaze, the wolf pup hadn't done anything wrong.
When the cage door opened he waited for many minutes before finally getting out from the tiny prison. There was around twenty ponies around him now, out of two he recognized. One was the bat pony mare, as he could now see her wings, and the other was the pony he had felt raw power from.
The dark blue pony had a very weird mane and tail, the things swaying in a nonexistent breeze. Her rich blue eyes carried a hint of sympathy and pity, she seemed to be like the other mare. If two showed him some compassion maybe he wasn't that fucked.
"We have been sent by our sister to collect thee, thou has proven to be a possible threat for our people" She told him and he just looked at her, his green eyes glowing softly.
'They threw a knife at me, knocked me out and shocked me because I was a possible threat!? Oh fuck you!' He thought and growled.
"The princess will judge what happens to you. If you're lucky we can send you back" The sanguine mare told Nathaniel, bearing a smile that just screamed of 'I'm sorry'.
The other guards gave the bat pony a look that made her stop her attempts at comforting him, making her back off to stand next to the blue pegacorn. It was a good thing he was surrounded by armed guards, he was not thinking about doing happy things to these ponies at the moment.
"Yeah.. Thanks.." The human growled and raised his hand to fire a blast of magic, he needed to retaliate somehow.
In his anger of being abducted he didn't react fast enough at the ring suddenly appearing at his finger, making him loose his mental grip of the magic. It scared him even more as he jumped back and tried to pull it off to no avail. So it wasn't enough with attacking him, they needed to steal his magic as well. He was getting more and more scared and angry.
"Please don't try that again, we will have to attack you if you lash out against the princess" The bat pony said and Nathaniel looked the blue pony.
'Princess? Crap, if they see me enough of a threat to send royalty I'm in an even worse situation than before' The young man grumbled in his head before being turned to a pair of great doors that was behind him.
"Our sister will judge thee now" The blue pony princess said and opened the doors with magic, her horn glowing a bright blue.
There on a throne sat a pony who would most likely almost reach his height while standing. Her rainbow coloured mane and tail drifted in a ghost breeze like the other one's tail and mane. Her dark pink eyes was focused in a glare, studying him closely as he was lead into the room. Her large white body made the throne she sat on seem small in comparison.
The blue pegacorn flew up next to her and sat down on a black throne next to the other's white one. Both of them radiated power and if he hadn't been so afraid he might have bowed. Now when he was cornered he didn't have any half snarky remarks or bravery left. As he looked at the one that would judge him for a crime he didn't know he had committed he could only feel despair.
Princess Celestia's POV
I was having a bad day. So far the nobles had been droning on about some extra ballroom they wanted build in the new city we had raised from the mountains. I had denied them those dreams quickly before dismissing every noble in the room. They were getting on my nerves today. Normally at least some of them had good suggestions but most of the rational ones were over seas, discussing trade with the zebras.
When the news came that the beast had been captured I was overjoyed. Finally something was going right. It had been two months since the first reports came in about the creature and I had spent a lot of time and resources on catching it. If it was a threat to my subjects I would deal with it accordingly.
Yet as the information was given to me (the first one to do so being a very angry Major Fury) my confidence in what to do was slowly being challenged. The beast could be a great threat if it knew magic, but what even scared me more about what could happen was when I was told it was a carnivore.
Even thought the gryphons where friends it was hard to say that anyone could be accepting of them eating meat. I normally had some prepared for the gryphon ambassador whenever he visited as a curtsy, but we had to get special chefs just to cook it. It was unnatural for most sentient creatures to eat meat, which often meant a meat eater was a mindless beast.
But from what I was told the thing could speak, even if it was mostly curses and fear filled statements. It troubled me that the prisoner had trained a wild wolf to guard his camp. From Osiris reports the little pup had attacked him before he could get close to the new creature's hut.
It was also the fact that the beast had tried to steal the keys to the cage. If the spell hadn't been up and if Major Fury hadn't noticed it the creature would be free now. Trying to resist arrest was a crime for all in Equestria, and so was attacking the royal guard. Fury had told me about how the creature had blasted one of his mages, adding assault to the list of things.
Yes it was true that they were sent there to collect him, but I had ordered them to only use force if necessary, which seemed to be the case as Lieutenant Rose had said the creature had been carrying weapons at the time. The Major had acted out of necessity to protect his squad and called for an attack.
While I could see the side of the red stallion's story I was still angry over him injuring the wolf, the animal being nothing than a mere pup. If it hadn't been for it's breed it would be dead, and Major Fury would be facing my full wrath over killing the wolf cub. No one in my guard would hurt innocents, beast or pony, under my guidance.
I let out a sigh as I thought about the creature being shocked, ever since than only speaking a few words. I disagreed highly with Fury's decision and would force him to take a few days off. He had always been a compulsive stallion but his anger could blind him at times.
It was a shame really, he had always been a good military leader and powerful mage. But as he had openly defied my orders by injuring the creature more than needed I had to show what would happen if you tried to break your vow. I would have a stern talk to the major later, said stallion standing next to my throne, awaiting the creature's arrival.
He had rose up through the ranks in the wake of Discord's defeat, calling for the destruction of the statue that was now Discord. I had refused him and others who were out for blood against the petrified spirit, even if the thought of crushing the statue came to mind a few times. But in the end I let it simply stand in the garden, as a warning to those who would dare to injure my subjects. Luna would have never forgiven me if I had killed him either way, neither would I for that matter.
Some of the fear and dread I was feeling over this creature was not because of anything I've heard from the reports, but rather lingering fear and a need to protect my subjects from the unknown. Discord's sudden madness had made me watch my back twice for weeks, even after he had been put in stone. His mad reign lasted only for two months but it had been enough to scar the populace.
Starswirl befriending Scorpan had been a lucky twist of faith for me and my sister, the gargoyle prince telling us in time about what his brother was planning for our nation. Locking him away had been hard, the self proclaimed lord having enough power to fend us off for a good time before the elements finally placed him in tartarus.
With the two wrongdoers gone it should have put my mind at ease. But the only one that could do that was frozen in solid rock. I was more worried these days for my nation than ever before. Luna still had a love for combat and happily traveled out to resolve conflicts while I had to stay here and run my kingdom. It was a very stress filled thing to do but I did it none the less, my advisors helping me.
Major Fury's help had been a great relief, his tactical talent helping me deal with bandits on the road much quicker than before. His suggestions on closing our borders for the time being didn't sit well with me though, his own fear over a Discord like incident happening again clouding him for the overall picture. Yes we could close our borders and build a grand military to face any threat to the nation, but in doing so the other countries would grow weary, and I would not deal with a possible war.
As the last reports on the creature was given to me I wondered what I should do. Luna seemed to think the being mostly harmless, but she would gladly have a manticore as pet, so what she saw as harmless might not be the same to normal ponies. Major Fury wanted the creature thrown into Tartarus so we could be rid of it, a decision born from fear over the unknown (something I could understand, this thing was a hairless ape?).
As I read over the crimes the being had committed I wondered more and more what I should do. It had hunted without permission for a half a year (if that rock was to be believed), hurt one of my combat mages, hurt a scout through a trained attack wolf, attempted to steal keys from a lunar guard, used magic in attempt to steal keys which in itself is a crime and while not a crime he had manipulated Lieutenant Rose to get the keys (it hinted at more sinister parts of its mind).
Deciding that I could choose its fate once it stood in front of me I nodded mentally to Luna who opened the door. The being walked in, looking terrified as it spotted me. The two thrones in the room stood out from the grey and green walls, making me and my sister's position of power even more showing.
The golden banner above my head almost glowed as I let my magical power radiate around the room, the guards bowing as Luna got to her own light blue throne and sat down. The blue banner above her head seemed to glow in power like mine as we looked down on the creature.
"You stand accused of several crimes, what do you have to say in your defense?" I asked, not even bothering with the noble speech, this was not the time.
The being stood there for many seconds in absolute confusion before finally looking at me. His eyes seemed to show how stressed he was, his hands clenching and opening themselves before wiping of sweat on the clothes he was wearing. Why had he such garments anyway, they looked uncomfortable to wear.
Was this creature that was showing such magical potential according to my sister. It seemed to be terrified of everything in the room. But then again, power didn't lie in the looks. Discord looked harmless but could shatter reality at will, so judging a book by it's cover was not the right approach here.
After a long time without saying nothing it finally gathered some courage and looked up from the spot on the floor it had been eyeing. I awaited what it would say, so did all the guards in the room to be honest. Even Luna leaned over her throne to hear what it would say much more clearly.
"My name is Nathaniel, and I want to know what crimes I have committed" It said, biting back a growl.
There was some fight in the creature after all. The anger was mixed in with the fear, making me think of a cornered predator, just waiting to lash put on anyone getting close. But then again it was a cornered predator, a magic wielding one at that.
"You stand accused of for hunting the creatures of the forest without permission. You stand accused of for having trained a wolf attacking others. You stand accused of for attacking a royal guard. You stand accused of theft, abuse of magic and attempted breakout. You stand accused of for resisting arrest" I said coldly, never letting the glare I now held leave my eyes.
"W-What!? Of course I tried to break out! You attacked me! You kidnapped me! I was doing great on my own before you showed up!" He snarled at me and Major Fury growled.
"Had you not drawn weapon first there would not had been any use of violence" I said calmly and watched the prisoner fum in anger, his fear all but gone.
"I hunt to survive! I need the meat to live! You fucking idiots just came out from the trees and almost killed me! You almost killed Blaze you fucking pieces of shi..!!!" He started yelling at us only for Major Fury to hit him in the stomach with the pommel of a spear.
"Be quiet you freak of nature" The stallion growled, the creature letting out a wheeze of pain.
"I've seen enough for now. Have him in a cell until I can decide what to do with him" I told the guards who pulled away the snarling and screaming being.
"Sister, I thought you wanted to judge him now" Luna said and I nodded with a sigh.
"I need to gather my thoughts. He can be a great danger to our ponies Lulu, but at the same time I don't know if throwing him in the dungeons is the right thing. I just want to keep our subjects safe sister, if it's between them and this being I will choose them" I told her and she nodded slowly.
"He didn't attack first. I was ordered to incapacitate him" The sanguine mare next to Luna said and she looked at Major Fury with anger, me following suit.
"That beast is a threat! It can use magic in strange ways! It probably has the Lieutenant under some sort of spell" Fury said and I shook my head.
I had also kept the Major around for his family ties, his son now leading the crystal empire after it broke free from our borders during Discord's reign. His influence over his son was limited but it was enough for him to be worth having sticking around. Yet if he was gonna disobey direct orders and hurt anyone he thought deserved it he was done as a Major.
"Major Fury. You are dismissed. Be glad I will allow you to stay in our military and guard after such an act of defiance. You will now bear the rank of Second Lieutenant and you will no longer be reporting to me" I said coldly, the red unicorn standing there with his mouth open for a moment before walking up to me, Luna tensing.
"You will regret this princess " He spat before walking away, leaving the room with a huff.
"Finally. I thought you would never get rid of him" Luna said and I could only nod in agreement.
"This does not make me less weary of the creature however" I said and Lulu looked at me with pleading eyes.
"If you are going to throw him in the dungeons then what will that make us look like? There is another way for you to keep track of him without having to be throw him down there with the scum of Eques" She said to me and I looked at her with confusion.
"Tell me, what should I do then?" I asked her and she soon told me her solution, getting a reluctant nod out of me.
"I'll see to it that the wolf is brought to the east wing in the meantime. Sometimes you have very good ideas sister" I said and she smirked at me.
"Sometimes? " She asked and I gave her a teasing smile before leaving the throne room, making all guards salute.
Nathaniel's POV
Well he was completely fucked. Not only had he been thrown into a dungeon for dumb reasons but he had no idea how to remove these damn magic canceling rings! Why had he saved those ponies!? Now he was gonna rot in some prison because he maybe was dangerous.
The cell itself was a cramped space, built for ponies or creatures their size, he had to bend his back whenever he stood up to not hit his head. The small cell didn't have a window, leaving it and the small bed in the corner in shadows. The only thing that wasn't completely dark was the door, a torch outside glowing with red fire. There was a small opening in the cell's granite door covered with metal spikes, making sure no one could reach out.
Even if he was having a bad time he hoped Blaze was ok. If the wolf got more hurt because of his own stupid mistake he would never forgive himself. Nathaniel had asked and asked for the pup but the guards walking along the cave like hallway outside ignored him, similarly as they did with the rest of the prisoners.
The human was about to cry again, he hated feeling this week and exposed but fear was the clearest emotion his brain could grasp now among the confusion on how quickly his normal life had gone wrong. He had just been living in the woods with the wolf pup, just hunting to stay alive. Now he was in a dungeon because he had used self-defense, life just hated him today.
"I have a proposal for you" A regal feminine voice suddenly spoke out and the young man turned to the cell door.
There the blue pegacorn stood in all her glory, her eyes watching him like a cat would watch its prey. He gulped at first, trying to calm himself before speaking. This pony had helped kidnap him, but had shown him some sort of compassion, so maybe, just maybe, she could help him.
"What would that be? Wasn't it enough throwing me in here?" He hissed out, already regretting his choice of words.
Under the fear there was anger, for being attacked, for seeing them attack Blaze, being accused of crimes he had technically committed but hadn't known he was committing. To keep all that rage from boiling over was very hard, but he would manage, kind off.
"You can either sit here and accept my sisters unfair punishment, or you can come with me and become a servant here in the castle" The pegacorn said with a smile.
"..What?" Nathaniel said after a long time of just staring at the pony princess behind the granite door.
"We cannot let you go after realizing how powerful you truly are, both me and Celestia agrees that you could possibly hurt our subjects" She said and Nathaniel was about to interrupt her when she raised her hoof.
"Let me finish. I cannot have you down here though, knowing that all your pain comes from the orders of a hotheaded idiot I was supervising" The pony mare said as the door were opened.
"If you agree then you will be allowed to see the wolf cub again, I assure you he is fine. I can also promise you a room at the castle with a fireplace, meaning you won't have to freeze. I will also get rid of the magic prohibitory horn rings from your fingers, giving back your magic" The mare continued and Nathaniel was feeling hope, his eyes looking at the light behind her.
If this meant he would be free he was forced to do so. He couldn't leave Blaze to these ponies and he couldn't really get anywhere from this cage. If he agreed and became their servant (why did he think slave fit better?..) then he wouldn't have to worry about the incoming snowstorms or surviving the night.
"However, if you hurt one of our subjects we will send you back into this cell, no discussion. We will also place a spell on you, a spell used to shock whoever it's bound to. A safe way to know if you ever prove dangerous to our populace that we can subdue you" The pegacorn mare told him.
"I accept" Nathaniel said after a long time, deciding it was the best course of action.
This mare was throwing him a life line, he would use it. If he didn't then he was stuck here, and he really didn't want to be stuck here. The screams of the other prisoners was making him mad and the cold cell was slowly giving him frostbites. He just loved Mondays and all they entailed.
"Splendid. We are sorry for the mistreatment you have suffered. Major Fury did not like your presence and gave the order to attack you" She told him and he nodded in response, thinking about how to best nail a pony in the shoulder with a throwing knife.
"The Major has lost his title and privileges as a punishment for not following my sister's orders. I hope that makes you feel a little better" The princess stated and he nodded slowly.
'My shoulder still hurts though..' Nathaniel grumbled in his mind as he followed the pony up a sudden spiral staircase that rose up from the dungeons.
He followed her for a long time before being met by the sight of Blaze sitting, bound to a heavy set of armor. The human rushed up to the wolf and wrapped his arms around the animal, making it howl happily and lick his face madly, trying to be as friendly as possible.
The armor stood next to a door that was big enough for him to walk through it standing up, the door itself was now labelled with with the rune he had on his right hand. So they had been planning this? The young man couldn't really understand if he should be punching them or thanking them for being given a room.
"Good, you accepted" A voice said and he was immediately on his feet, looking at the face of the white pegacorn.
"We will place the spell on you shortly. I need to make sure nothing threatens my little ponies" She said seriously and he bit down a grin at the cheesy phrase.
"Just don't put me back in there. I'll gladly follow along as long as you don't send guards on me again.." Nathaniel muttered.
The rainbow maned mare nodded slowly and lit her horn, the rings fell from his fingers and he could feel a mental grip of his magic again. He was about to cheer when he suddenly felt weird, like someone was dragging a feather along his arms. The answer to his question of why he felt weird was answered when he saw yellow, two dimensional magical chains wrap around his arms, from wrist to elbow.
"What is this?" The human said and tried to shake it off like it was some kind of liquid.
"State your full name" The white mare said and he looked confused for a second.
"I don't care much for my last name, Nathaniel is what I go by" He said, trying to act calm while the chains flouted above his skin.
"Nathaniel Sol then. I gave you the name Sol to show you I am sorry for the pain you were put through" The princess started and he looked at her with interest.
"The spell allows me to shock you if necessary however, and trust me, if you hurt anyone of my subjects I will. I don't trust you, so that name is all you get." She said before walking off, her voice having carried a hint of malice.
"I want you to take an oath as well, so repeat after me" The dark blue mare told him.
"To serve, protect, and shield our charge from harm,
As Lunar Guardians we shall be known!
The oath almost seemed to carry magical power when the princess spoke it. It made his bones feel brittle and his head light. Yet despite that the boy said the words, making sure to look the mare in the eyes as he did so. There was a strange feeling in his chest after saying those words, but he couldn't quite understand what that feeling was.
"This room is yours now. Come find me in the morning, I will have to show you many things" The dark blue pony princess said before walking off the same direction as her sister.
Now Nathaniel was tired, very tired. He had a rough day and needed the rest. The human could care about the fact that the blue pony didn't speak like she had before, it had reminded him of a Shakespeare if he was gonna be honest. He could also care about the fact that he had been stabbed, been sent flying, knocked out, shocked and sent to prison in one day. But he needed a bed, he needed time to process it all, slowly .
As he walked into the room he could say it was very scarce with furniture. A bed below the window to the left of him made Nathaniel happy while he saw an empty bookshelf to his right. The grey room was just square shaped with a little hallway for the door. There was a fireplace just opposite of the bed with a few pieces of wood burning in there, it warmed the room.
As he laid down on the bed he took notice on how Blaze laid down on a thick carpet by the fireplace, the wolf seeking the heat. After a day like this he needed that, falling asleep with a thousand questions and thoughts swirling around his head. He just hoped that he wouldn't be a servant for a very long time.
Author's Note
There! 7600 words! So much words, so little sleep!
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Chapter Five: The angel in servitude (Edited)
Nathaniel was woken up by the sound of Blaze scratching at the door leading out from their new room. The wolf was whining and looking back at him every few seconds before continuing to scratch on the door. He assumed the pup wanted to find something to eat and probably relieve itself.
With a sigh and a yawn the human got up and walked over the door, opening it for the wolf who ran off down the hall. The young man wondered if he should be worried about it but just let it go, he was to tired too care and he felt really annoyed for several reasons.
First things first, the servant or rather the shock spell. He could see a few golden lines underneath his white skin now and again, indicating it was there and ready to be used against him. After what had happened in the cage he would not be foolish enough to break an order from his new "employer", that didn't mean he had to like this.
The day before had been such a chaotic day he had to process what was really happening to him, he was a servant now. That stung, not only because it meant some of the freedom he had been given was just stolen from him. All of this was because he might be dangerous? Nathaniel knew people, or ponies in this case, could be overprotective but this was ridiculous.
The human left his new room and started to draw a mental map of the castle as he moved through its halls. When he found a restroom it wasn't exactly the kind his former rich life would have gotten, but it was better than a damn hole in the ground out in the cold snow.
After he had tended to his needs he moved towards the dining hall, the guards standing at every corner pointing him in the right direction. They referred to him as "Mister Sol", something that amused him to no end, having owned that name for less than twenty-four hours.
Yet the respect that name seemed to bring was a good sign, even if the guards tightened their grip of their spears whenever he got close. If that name gave him some sort of control or at least some sort of respect that meant Celestia had given him something that actually meant something, still didn't mean he liked her.
The hallways of the castle were all grey or green, having a high roof but narrow walls. Moving down them felt the same, like you were stuck and couldn't fight. The helpless feeling he got from walking towards the dining room made him angry, Nathaniel hated the feeling of not being able to do something.
From the hallway his room was located in it was a maze of twist and turns to the dining room, the guards he passed looking mostly the same. A right and a left, a right and a left. It never ended. When finally reached the two golden doors he was more annoyed than he had been before, the two guards on the door opening it for him.
While the castle hallways had mostly black, grey or green as colour scheme the grand dining room was golden and red. The round room had three large windows to the right, left and center one could see after entering through the door. The windows were stained glass depicting events, like a great pink heart warming a group of ponies in a cave on the window to the left or the two princesses accepting their crowns to the right.
Nathaniel was stunned by the middle window that allowed most light into the room. The long window ended with a half circle at the top, going up from the floor and almost reaching the roof twenty meters up in the air. The glass on the window was moving though magical means and the swirling vortex of colours formed a white pegacorn with a red mane and tail surrounded by the universe. It quickly went back into the chaotic swirl of colours however.
Nathaniel was to stunned to move for a minute, the sheer power radiating from the image made his mark glow. If that was like this country's queen he was impressed. The human soon noticed the blue pegacorn looking at him with a small smile as he explored the room. She sat by a long table that almost stretched from one wall to the other.
As Nathaniel moved through the room he watched the tapestries hanging from the otherwise naked walls next to the windows. They were bearing a crest of either a sun or a moon, making the room feel very much like the royal sisters personal dining chambers.
Nathaniel sat down on a chair opposite from the blue mare, looking at her with skepticism, what would he even do here? So far she had just requested him to be here during the morning hours, did she have a plan in mind? The young man really didn't want to become a butler, he was not ever gonna wear another suit in his life.
"I see that you enjoy the artwork our brother made for me and my sister" The princess said and he nodded in response.
"I may not like this, at all, but I will admit those windows look beautiful, especially the middle one" Nathaniel said and pointed to the swirling mass of colours.
The blue mare turned to the window as it once again changed to the white pegacorn, the more compassionate of the two sisters frowned before turning back to the human with a small smile. Had that been sadness in her eyes? It looked so similar to the faces he watched during his rich life back at earth.
"Yes, that image was created to honor our mother, may she rest in peace" His new handler said and lit her horn, bringing a cup of tea to her lips.
The table was adorned with all sorts of food, eggs, porridge, loafs of bread, something that looked like bacon but smelled like hay and of course pancakes. Next to all of the food there was milk and tea, making him smile, if there was one thing Nathaniel had missed it was a warm cup of tea. His stomach grumbled and the princess giggled slightly, giving him a plate with her magic.
"Take what you want, the wolf cub has been given an area where he can hunt" She said and he nodded, bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you for taking care of Blaze princess" The human said respectfully, he might not like the situation he was in but Nathaniel had to take every sign of kindness he could.
"It was no problem, all children of the night are under my protection, and please call me Luna. After yesterday you deserve to at least skip the titles" Luna said with a sad smile and he grunted in response.
The young man took some eggs and put them on his plate before grabbing a cup and pouring up some tea into it. Luna watched him with interest as he slowly and very methodically grabbed everything on the table, like he was used to dining with royalty.
"As you must have understood we cannot let you go, but this doesn't mean I will not try to make you feel comfortable" The princess stated and he nodded slowly.
"As I'm a "servant" now, what exactly are you having me do?" The human asked the mare with venom dripping from his voice, making her flinch.
"I'm sorry for my sister and I using those kinds of words when describing what your role will be here. You will be more of a ward than anything else, even if an unwilling one" Luna smiled apologetically and Nathaniel sighed in response.
He had lost some of that freedom the forest had given him and it hurt. The fact that all of this was based on assumptions and maybes made him even more annoyed and angry. Yet, so far Luna had been mostly kind and he wouldn't act like an ass if he didn't have to.
"It's.. not fine. But for what it's worth I accept your apology. Yet I don't forgive your sister or you for having this spell placed on me nor for having me attacked. It will take some time getting over having a knife thrown at you or being sent flying by a magic death ray" He mumbled and the princess nodded understandingly.
"I understand that, and I'm sorry for your mistreatment. But sadly I have to interrogate you for a few minutes, we need to know the basic facts about who and what you are" She said and got up, looking at Nathaniel stuffing his face with pancakes.
"There is no need to be so serious, I'll answer your questions so we can move on to what I'm gonna be doing here" The human said and she nodded.
"In return you can ask me some question as well, I assume you have many" Luna stated and got a nod from the new servant.
"What is your species called? We have never ran into a being like yourself before" The blue mare said and the young man answered quickly.
"I'm a human, homo sapiens if you want a formal name for it. Now, what are you princess? I've been menatlly calling you a pegacorn but I feel like that is wrong" The human answered and questioned before taking a sip from his tea.
He smiled as he felt the warm liquid rush down his throat, giving him a sweet reminder of reading a book in front of an open fire or just relaxing with a friend (or at least he thought this was what it was supposed to be, he had never really experienced a moment like that). He felt oddly calm to give away his secrets to Luna, perhaps because he didn't really have a choice or maybe because Nathaniel didn't want to loose the small kindness she was giving him.
"Me and my sister are alicorns, ponies with the strength of all three races" She answered after writing down his answer on a paper using a quill.
"Where did you come from Nathaniel? Me and Celestia has seen most of Eques yet we have never come across a nation with the likes of yourself ruling over it" Luna asked and he thought for a moment.
"It's not very important where I'm from these days, my home never felt like home and my family won't miss me" Was all the young man said, the mare frowning but accepting his answer for now, planning on bringing it up later.
"You are not trained in the arts of magic, correct?" The princess of the night asked him and the human nodded.
"Yet even while untrained you still show some abilities that makes me question your power. That meditation you used allowed you to "see" those around you and evaluate their character and power, or at least that is the report Lieutenant Rose left for me" The pony said, taking a sip from her cup.
"I can't judge your character. I can see which part of you defines you the most, I think. I can sense something from those around me and narrow it down to one word, but even then that word doesn't make justice to the emotion I get from "reading" those around me" Nathaniel said, finishing up his meal by throwing the eggs into his mouth, manners were starting to elude him.
"So, would you say that this ability could hurt those around you?" Luna asked, more for Celestia than herself (even if she would admit to wanting answers about the human's magic).
"Yes and no. I can focus better while meditating and therefore use spells on those around me better, or at least pick up frogs" He responded and drank the rest of his tea.
"That is all I need to know for now. Do you have questions for me?" She asked and he gave her a deadpan look that screamed "of course I have questions".
"What year and date is it? What country and planet is this? I really want to know all the facts so I got it right" Nathaniel asked and she looked at him with a small smile.
"The year is the 45th of the united era as our subjects have come to call it. It is Monday, January fifteenth. The country's name is Equestria and the planet's name is Equus. There, a few small things that might be good to know" The alicorn said and sipped on her teacup.
'Almost my birthday then, only four days' The young man thought for himself, glad that they counted time the same way they did back on earth.
"Why are you so kind to me? Sure you knocked me out yesterday but ever since you are acting kindly to me. It strikes me as odd coming from a place where people in leader positions rarely do apologize to those they hurt" He said, thinking back to his father.
"I made a mistake and got you hurt. What kind of leader would I be if I couldn't stand up for that mistake and apologize?" Luna asked Nathaniel who nodded, lost in thought for a second.
He had so far gotten the vibe from the guards that they carried deep respect for the royal sisters, the young man now understood why. Luna had apologized and acted with kindness to make him feel somewhat better after the stress filled day before. It was admirable that she would do something like that for a creature she had known for less than a day.
Nathaniel also noticed something, she still spoke to him with normal English while he had seen her speak with that old Shakespearean way to the guards. Was it a respectful thing to do? Was he supposed to be addressing someone that way? He really didn't hope so, it sounded ridiculous.
"How come you don't speak weirdly when you're with me? I hear how you speak with any of the guards" He said and the lunar princess looked at him with a smirk.
"Out of all things it is my speech that is troubling you?" She asked with a smile and he nodded.
"Yeah, it is a significant change from how you address others. I just wanna know why you speak normally to me" Nathaniel told Luna who picked up a silver bell with her magic, a earth pony mare dressed in a maid outfit walking in.
"I have treated you badly, as I've said before, and think you deserve to at least be addressed like an equal. It was not my intention to hurt you the day before, but due to the incompetence of a subordinate you were attacked. My way of addressing you is another apology, one I know is hard to accept, but I hope you will accept it in time" The ruler said and Nathaniel looked at her for a moment before smiling.
"I don't like what you have done to me princess. But thank you for showing me that kind of respect" He said and both of them smiled at each other.
The fact that this mare was willing to go out of her way to correct a mistake was still making him admire her. Maybe not completely forgive her for what had happened, but on his way to doing so. She hadn't been the one to put the spell on him, her sister was the culprit in that regard.
When the human thought about the other princess he had met the day before he saw red, wanting nothing more than to find her and give her a good slap for binding him to yet another life with servants. The only difference this time was that he was one of them now, meant to serve those above him.
Nathaniel really needed to get the lunar princess to tell him what he would be doing. If he was meant to serve then the young man wanted to know what work they intended for him, if Nathaniel Sol was to become a slave he should at least know what work he would be doing. Wait.. Had he just called himself by the name given to him by Celestia? Dammit, it did kind of fit him though.
"Luna can you tell me what your sister plans to do with me? I would feel much better if I knew what slave labor I will be doing" He said and the princess flinched once again.
"You are not our slave. We will not treat you as such, as you most likely understand since we have allowed you to eat within the royal dining room" She responded and he grunted in response, not entirely buying the fact that he would not be a slave.
"After a lot of thinking I found it to be best if you stay close to me while you work. Therefore I've decided to make you my bodyguard" Luna said and poured another cup of tea.
As they had been talking the maid had been cleaning up the table, putting the plates of food on a nearby trolley. Her pink mane and red coat made her stand out among the golden walls but let her blend in with the royal red of the carpets and tapestries. She moved very quickly, taking the plates from the princess and human without a sound. But hearing the princess words she stopped and looked at her wide eyed.
Nathaniel had a hard time processing her words, bodyguard? Had he been stabbed, shocked and knocked out just to become a pony princess bodyguard!? He had known her for like a fucking day! The young man felt like he was being tricked but he saw no lies coming from her, she genuinely wanted him as her new bodyguard.
"What? Why? I barely know you, why would I want to protect you?" He asked, a bit more coldly than he'd have wanted.
"I understand this is very sudden, but I have been ordered to keep an eye on you as well as assign you some work. Becoming my bodyguard or at least part of my guards will allow me to do just that. I understand that you might also be very reluctant to doing this, but if you do this I will promise to get you fresh meat" She told Nathaniel who looked at her, weighting what options he really had.
If he took this job from her then the young man at least knew what they wanted out of him, but he hadn't any training for that kind of assignment. If he screwed up then Luna could get hurt, which would most likely end with him getting hurt. It was either this or that dark cell however, he did not have a choice.
"I don't have any training for that princess, I can kind of use a bow but that is it. You're asking me to protect you with my life when I'm uncertain I can do so. Don't you have other bodyguards?" He asked her and the blue mare looked at him with a small smile.
"You do not need to worry, you will not be the only new bodyguard. Both you, Scout Osiris and Lieutenant Rose have been selected for this task, and will receive the necessary training to do this job" the ruler of Equestria said and he nodded slowly.
What was he supposed to even think? The human had no prior experience with things like this, plus he was not exactly doing this because he wanted to. If it came down to it would he fight for this mare that had helped him quite a bit but also hurt him badly?
"I.. I accept. Not that I have much of a choice" The human said with a mumble.
"No, no you do not sadly" Luna said with a sad sigh.
The maid left the room, probably with the intent of gossiping about the lunar princess's new bodyguard. Nathaniel was still wondering what he was supposed to do however, the maid taking his plate didn't even register. If he was now a bodyguard then that meant responsibilities had been thrust upon him, again. Why was he getting flashbacks to his father's grinning face.
"You can wander the castle if you want to now. The guards are informed of who and what you are, so they will only bother you if you anger them" the alicorn said and Nathaniel got up with a nod, leaving the room with the princess.
While Luna headed towards the throne room the human walked back towards his room, getting lost a few times along the way. The guards (which of almost all of them were mares, wonder why) gave him a few glances but mostly ignored him, starting to get used to his footsteps coming down the hallways. He ran into a few maids and a butler along the way, most of them already eyeing him with interest. So they already knew of his new title then? Great.
The human wouldn't say he hated the castle so far. Sure he had been forced into servitude but there was something about owning a bed (he did own it, right?..) that made him feel calm. A bed represented many things, the sign of a home, a sign of some sort of wealth, a sign of rest and a sign of relaxation. Knowing that he had a bed put his mind at ease, or at least for a while.
When the human finally reached his room a female guard in black armor waited for him outside the door, holding something wrapped up in cloth with her magic. Before he could question what it was the wrapped up object was handed to him and the guard walked off.
Nathaniel looked at a note stuck to the wrapped thing, simply signed "A gift" with a moon crest below the text. Shrugging he unwrapped the thing and soon looked at a sheated sword with awe. The sheat was made from some sort of soft blue crystal with weird patterns carved onto it. The handle of the sword was black with the pommel and cross-guard being made from hardened silver. Pulling out the blade he could see it was black with his name carved into it, the letters glowing a deep green.
Was this one more apology gift? A good blade so he could survive easier? Or maybe it was his service weapon, he was a bodyguard now, the young man would need it to protect Luna. He was happy for the gift, it made him feel a bit safer (maybe that was the point) and he could now fight back if he needed to.
Entering his room the human hid the blade under his new bed before thinking for a second. Should he have it on him? It was given to him by Luna but did that mean he was allowed to have it nearby when he wasn't supposed to guard her? Nathaniel did not want to relive that moment in the cage because of a gift the blue mare gave him.
Coming to a decision he left the sword under the bed and then left the room, wondering if he should be requesting a lock. Yet a quick glance at the scowling guard mares (seriously where was all the stallions, he had seen some when he was let out of the cage) changed his mind about that, they would stay away from the room, so would the maids probably.
Nathaniel asked one of the guards (who addressed him as guardian now for some reason) where the gardens where and she pointed her left hoof down the opposite hallway that lead to the dining room and throne room. He thanked her and walked towards the sound of birds and animals, soon coming to an open gate that lead out to a snow covered garden, the light leaking into the hallway like blanket covering the darkness.
When he walked out into the garden the human could see some parts that the snow didn't seem to touch, a statue of a creature made up from different animal parts stood in the middle of the garden with the snow seemingly falling off an invisible dome around it. A large patch of grass that grew around the statue seemed to be unaffected by the cold winter as well, leaving it in an never ending summer.
A few trees also stood unaffected by the winter, similar invisible domes protecting them. Nathaniel was jealous that they had protection while he did not. Where was his wolf fur coat, he missed the warm thing. The young man would have to ask Luna to have it returned to him.
He walked up to the statue and the same second the new bodyguard walked into the dome the warmth made him miss summer. The feeling he got from the statue made him shudder a bit, the statue the most cold thing inside the dome. The creature it depicted had the head of a pony, wing of a bat, wing of pegasus, body like a snake, an antler and a ram horn on its head, a lion's paw on its right arm, eagle's claw on its left arm, its a left leg that of a goat and its right leg being that of a dragon.
The creature unsettled him. From everything he had seen on earth or here the thought of a beast like this made his mind question what he was seeing. All of those different body-parts should make it hard for the being to even move. How could something like this even exist? It made no sense!
"Oh what fun is there in making sense" A voice chuckled and the human jumped, looking around for the origin to the voice.
After many minutes of searching around with his eyes Nathaniel relaxed, walking away from the creepy statue. If this place had ghosts then he sure as hell wasn't gonna bother them. Yet when he returned to the gate he had come from the young man heard a howl and soon he had his face filled with grey fur.
"Blaze! Down boy! Down!" He laughed as the wolf pup ran around him in circles, very happy to see his owner again (even if he had only been gone for like an hour and a half).
After finally getting the wolf cub to calm down he went back inside, looking back at the statue on last time before turning his attention forward. It was then he saw that bat pony from the day before, her red eyes watching him as he walked towards his room. She seemed to want something but was either too shy to ask or not allowed to ask.
"Are you ok?" He asked the mare he had deceived the day before (something he felt a little bad about, just a little mind you).
"I was told to, um, stay in your room. As new protectors we are supposed to live together" Rose mumbled to the human who adopted a deadpan stare.
Great, his room was no longer his room anymore. Why did he think even for a second he could have a safe heaven here. Yet it might not be that bad, so far this mare had been compassionate with him like Luna. He needed to make allies if he was to get the spell off him and get away from servitude.
"Fine. You're bringing your own bed though, I only snuggle with the wolf" He huffed and the mare blushed at the thought of cuddling with the large human.
He rolled his eyes and walked into the room to find a bunk bed in the corner, covering the window. A table had been dragged into the room as well, a stallion Nathaniel recognized immediately sat by the table, his left front leg wrapped heavily in bandages. There was a silent moment between them, the stallion narrowing his eyes at the wolf cub by the human's feet while the wolf growled.
Nathaniel just looked on as the stallion slowly reached for a book with his right leg while Blaze's growls grew louder. The wolf and the stallion lunged for each other, one wielding a book like a sword (which looked ridiculously epic in the young man's eyes) and the other barring his fangs in the air to bite his opponent.
The moment was broken of by Nathaniel closing his eyes, his right hand reaching out quickly as both the wolf and the stallion was suspended in the air for a few seconds before both were let go of the magic grip, falling to the floor and landing on all fours (which caused the stallion to grunt in pain). Nathaniel wiped away a small trickle of blood running down his nose before looking at them both. Using magic that quickly and levitating two objects that size was a strain upon his body, good to know.
"Blaze, don't attack the pony. He won't hurt you, if he knows what's best for him" The human said as the wolf backed off, eyeing the injured scout suspiciously.
"Is the creature part of this squad!? What in tartarus is the princess thinking!?" Osiris yelled at Rose who covered behind the table.
"It was Luna's orders Oz. You can ask he.." The bat pony started only for the stallion to limp past the human and the wolf, leaving the room.
Nathaniel was unsure what to think. So far in the matter of two days he had lost his home, been attacked, met two rulers, been put in a cell, had a servant spell placed on him, been given a job he had no idea how to do, had a sword handed to him, heard creepy voices in a garden and been forced to share his room with two others. He needed a fucking break before he had a stress related mental breakdown.
"Um, sorry about that.." The bat pony mumbled to him and the young man just shrugged, he needed to get some rest if he was to get through any day with these ponies.
"Just, go and guard or something ok? I need a moment for myself" The human said and sat down on the bed, the fluffy hairball of a wolf jumping up next to him.
The sanguine mare nodded and left the room like her friend before her, leaving Nathaniel alone with his thoughts. If this was to be his new life, if this job was Luna's solution to keeping an eye on him while not making him a full slave, then he had to accept the fact that the servitude spell might be on him for a long time.
The young man had no idea how long the spell would be stuck on him. Would it just be gone one day, or would it be removed once he proved himself to be trustworthy? If it was the latter he could very well be screwed, he wasn't here out of free will, which meant he would be much more prone to reject what suggestions they would have for him.
Nathaniel knew now that he was gonna be safe in the castle, but where wouldn't he be safe? If he was Luna's bodyguard he had to travel with her right? If she left the country he had to follow to some other king's land and act accordingly, hadn't he already escaped this life once before?
If he was now Nathaniel Sol, bodyguard of the princess, then he needed to become a new person. Sure, one could say he already was "reborn" when he arrived here but if he was no longer Nathaniel Walker then he would have to change even more. Even if this change would not be out his own choice it would be necessary, Nathaniel Walker had tossed the chains of riches and unhappiness but Nathaniel Sol would have to be the one to break free from the chains of servitude.
Was freedom this important to him? Was he ready to change who he was to gain back the freedom he found that day he arrived on this planet? Yes, yes he was. He might not show others the change but he was damned if it wasn't gonna affect his mind, the human needed to change if he was to become free once more.
The first step on the list was to train, a lot. He would need the skills required to do his new job and the only way he could get those was by training. The sword gifted to him would do nicely, the blade spoke highly to him, princess Luna's kindness giving him a spark of hope.
Nathaniel's job was to protect the alicorn from danger, and if that meant training hard, not punching Osiris across the face and showing respect to Luna and Rose (along with others that might show him compassion) then he would do so. To be set free he needed to gain their trust, and he could play the long game. The young man had survived half a year in a monster infected forest, this couldn't be much harder, right?
Princess Luna's POV
"YOU WHAT!?" Tia screamed over the sound of arguing nobles, making me fold my ears against my head.
"Sister please let me.." I started only for her to interrupt me.
"You don't hand a possible killer a sword because "It felt like the right thing to do" Luna!" Celestia said and got off her throne, at times I thought her rump would stick to it considering how much cake she ate.
"Sister, I chose Nathaniel to be one of my bodyguards to keep both you and him happy. We have not treated him well since he arrived here and he deserved something for his pain" I told her, not yielding from her glare.
In a few seconds she sighed and nodded slowly, calming down her stressed nerves. I really should send her away to relax some weekend, she's becoming more and more angry with the nobles and the more paperwork that is put next to her throne the more frustrated she becomes. Yet with how stubborn she is that mad mare won't let me help her with the work during the day, it's annoying how hard she pressures herself since Discord.
"I understand what you're saying Luna, but giving him a sword? What if he hurt one of the staff? What if he attacks the guards? We need to keep even more eyes on him if he has a weapon" Tia said and paced around, the nobles in the throne room looked on in interest, probably ready to spread gossip.
"I have put guardian Osiris and Rose in the same room with him and the wolf. He is well watched sister, you need to calm down and relax for a moment. You have put a spell on him that gives you the upper hoof, just be happy with that and know that everything is under control" I said and smiled slightly at the larger alicorn in front of me.
"After everything that has happened I can't relax Luna! I need to make sure nothing happens to Equestria, I need to make sure that nothing happens to you!" Tia said and looked at me with desperation, I could only feel pity for her.
Ever since we lost our brother she had been like this, making sure everything was safe, that nothing could change status quo. It was a futile thing to do, I think even she knew that, but I got her some sleep at night (even if I often found her in the garden in the early mornings). Celestia was being very harsh to Nathaniel, yet I knew exactly why, so at a few key points I had to agree with her.
The human could be dangerous, he could become the next tyrannical ruler (it was very unlikely, but still a possibility) and he might hurt ponies around him. But so could any guard we hired or any new noble family added to Canterlot. We cannot base all of our decisions on fear, as that will lead us down a road without risks or make us stagnant. But until Celestia was ready to let go of that fear and the human had proved himself the servant spell would stay upon him, even if it hurt me to leave him like that.
"Sister, I won't leave you that easily. I can fight and handle myself around the other nations, like the dragon lord's cave system in the badlands. That sword was given to our new servant as a sign of trust, meaning it might be easier for him to return that trust. Yes, giving him a weapon might cause problems, but as a guardian he will need one. There needs to always be a guardian who holds a blade from his liege, as there will always have to be a lord protector of Equestria" I told her, looking deeply into her eyes.
After a few seconds Tia sighed and sat back down on her throne, the nobles still watching us like hawks, ready to say something if it might help them gain favor. My tired sister looked thoughtful for a long time before nodding slowly, raising her hoof and waving out the group of nobles who all groaned in frustration.
"I will trust that you have made the right decision. But if he or anyone else hurts you I will tear them to shreds myself" Tia said, her eyes burning a deep orange for a second.
"I am willing to place my trust in the human with the hope that he will return that trust. It's a gamble but one that may pay off" I said and gave her a light bow before walking away from the throne, leaving Tia to think.
'May you find forgiveness for your own actions soon sister, or the guilt will eat you up from the inside' I thought sadly as I opened the two great doors and closed them behind me, leaving Celestia alone in the room with only her most trusted guards.
Author's Note
There we go. Nathaniel was spoon-fed some information by best princess and has now to share his room with two others, what could go wrong
Anyway thanks for reading, I'm really enjoying writing this story so far. Even if it has a slow start
Chapter Six: The angel and the mage
As the human slashed one more time at the tree trunk he breathed heavily, pulling his sword out from the wood. Nathaniel had been practicing for a few hours with the new sword given to him by princess Luna. The black blade seemed to cut through most things he had tried it out against and so far it was going pretty good considering he had no prior training.
"You swing it around like a kid! Focused strikes and swift movements!" A voice yelled and he flinched, the drill sergeant given to him and the new recruits having a very powerful voice.
He was not a trained fighter, meaning that if he was to hold the job of bodyguard (or guardian as it was more commonly referred to) he needed to build skill. So Luna had signed him up to be trained along with the new guard recruits, meaning he had to be around angry and annoyed young ponies all day, which really was making him more and more frustrated.
It was not often that Nathaniel lost control, but when someone had for the fifteenth time asked if they could find a pet like him anywhere he had yelled at them with an even louder voice than the drill sergeant. No one was gonna assume he was some kind of pet. Sure he was a servant now, but he'd be damned if they would take his dignity with his freedom.
A problem with his training however was that he had to move his weapon differently to the ponies, meaning the drill sergeant had to tend to him personally, which was just embarrassing and annoying. Normally he found small victories in getting a stance right only for her to shut him down with some criticism. However he understood why she was being so judgmental and harsh, as he was the one that was protecting the princess of the night.
Another thing he had learnt in his time among Luna and the castle staff was the fact the she and Celestia rose both the sun and the moon. At first the young man had laughed at how absurd that idea was, until he remembered he could use magic and was talking with sentient ponies each day. It also helped when Luna showed him the very act of bringing forth the night. The constellations formed under her will, it had been magical to watch.
The more time Nathaniel spent in Equestria the more his mind started to let go of concepts he had grown accustomed to on earth. The sun and the moon was controlled by two ponies with crowns on their heads, the weather was controlled by the pegasi, things grew faster thanks to earth ponies and unicorns could bend time and space with enough power. Even if he got a headache when he thought about a few concepts the ponies introduced him to.
Enchantments were one thing that was bothering him, the process confusing the human. The rune or mark was craved into the object of choice with the spell linked to it recited during the process. Yet how does it then gain magical strength? Does it form after the power and personality of the wielder? Can anyone, even a unicorn weak in magic, make enchanted objects that are as efficient as if Luna made one?
The answer to his question had been simple, "I'm getting you a teacher". So he was now going to be trained in magic as well? Nathaniel was not going to complain but it felt like Luna was putting more trust in him than he deserved. Hell, if someone promised him that they had a way to remove the spell he would follow them no questions asked. Yet she put faith in him, which made thoughts like backstabbing her filled with guilt.
Now who was gonna teach him? It was most likely not Celestia or Luna as both were busy with ruling over the country (even if Luna mostly just handled combat related stuff). It was probably not the drill sergeant as she already had a lot of work on her hooves. So out of all ponies in the castle who was gonna teach him magic?
The humans answer came with form of a observatory outside the castle, the tower like building hidden among the tall trees for anyone not knowing where to look. If he hadn't known about the place being inhabited then the young man would have assumed it was abandoned, the observatory masonry covered with cracks and spiderweb.
"So my new teacher lives out here? Why doesn't he just live in the castle like the rest of you?" Nathaniel questioned the Lunar Monarch leading him to the place.
"He can be a bit, different" Luna said with a small smile as they walked through a pair of black wines with blue thorns on them, the things grabbing for the alicorn.
"These things are such a pest, why did he even make these things?" The mare mumbled to herself and forced them away with a fire spell, making the wines slithered back into the Everfree.
Once the two of them stood outside the door into the tall building Nathaniel couldn't help but feel nervous for some reason, the feeling the tower gave him making the human shudder. Why was this even a problem for him? In the woods he had faced of against the devil hare, timber wolves, wolves and a hydra (sure he had ran away screaming but still!) and this was making him nervous?
Luna knocked on the door and soon shuffling could he heard from the other side. The princess looked at the door with a rised brow as they heard a few locks being undone and a mumbled curse. The metal door groaned as it swung open and a old stallion looked out, his long beard almost hitting the floor while the blue wizard hat on his head clanked from the bells on it.
"Yes? What is it Luna? Do you need a potion or tonic?" The mage's gruff voice said and eyed Nathaniel in surprise.
The human was wearing his full Everfree outfit, the black coat of wolf fur shielding him from the winter cold outside. Which made it even weirder that those wines were alive. It was at least minus twenty degrees outside and even with clothes made from thick animal fur was he feeling the cold.
"Is this the creature you captured?" The stallion asked and opened the metal door fully, reviling his full body dressed in a blue cape that also had star patterns on it with a few bells for good measure.
"Yes old friend, but Nathaniel is no longer a prisoner, but a guardian" The princess said with a small smile and Star swirl eyed the human suspiciously.
'Whatever you say Luna' Nathaniel thought and looked into the eyes of the unicorn, he looked like a very calculating pony.
"And that is why he has a servant spell placed upon him?" The mage asked and Luna gave a sheepish smile.
"Celestia wants to take no risks with Nathaniel, as he know magic" The mare said and the unicorn walked past her and stood in front of the human.
"So you want me to teach him the basics do you?" The stallion asked Luna who nodded, the unicorn stroking his beard.
"I don't know, he doesn't seem like muc.." Star Swirl started just for Nathaniel to raise his hand and close his eyes.
"Knowledge" The young man said and looked at the two ponies with a small smirk.
"So he can read us. Well this just got more promising" The mage said and looked back at Luna.
"Can you teach him then?" The alicorn asked and the unicorn nodded.
"I will teach him, but don't expect it to be easy" The bearded pony said, directing the last part at Nathaniel.
"I never thought any of this would be easy" The new guardian said and Luna nodded at them both with a smile.
"Then I can return to my duties, have fun Guardian Sol" The princess said and unfolded her wings, heading towards the castle.
For some reason it felt like that last part was spelling out his doom, he had no idea why however. As the human turned to his new magic teacher he could feel his hand enveloped in a magical aurora, the pony looking at the rune on his hand with a raised brow.
"The old rune for protection? Tell me, why is this part of your body?" the stallion asked him and he just shrugged.
"It burned its way onto my hand" The servant answered and the unicorn hummed before heading into the observatory.
Nathaniel followed him inside and saw how big the place really was. There was a spiral staircase in the middle of the building that lead up to the other floors, a small living area in a corner with a small kitchen and bed, the second floor entirely dedicated to what looked like potions and cauldrons, the third floor was seemingly filled with strange weapons and the fourth floor was the home for the grand telescope. But the thing that made the tower stand out the most was the books.
Wherever one looked there was a bookshelf, big and small, filled to the brim with thick books. On every floor there was at least three big bookshelves and even then there was staples of books on tables, on top of the bookshelves or used to prop up a chair or two. It was easy to say that this mage was a bookworm to say the least. That or a scholar
"Normally I don't take students. The royal heirs were different as Faust asked me to do so and my protege Clover was trained because of her skill with magical theory. You will become the first creature in a long time to get lessons from me" Star Swirl said and sat down by the table.
Most of those names didn't mean much to Nathaniel, but the mention of Faust made him look at the unicorn with more caution. If he had trained Celestia and Luna (and that brother he didn't dare asking about) then he must know his stuff. To piss of this pony would most likely not end well for him, so respect and fortitude would be the way to go.
"Well I appreciate that you will teach me magic, even if the circumstances around why you're teaching me it aren't ideal" He said and the stallion nodded, looking thoughtful.
"Tell me, what has the princess told you" The old wizard asked, and Nathaniel went through some of the information dumped on him.
"Magical energy is all around us, if one has enough power and focus hard enough it's possible to feel it in the air. But even with that we have our own mana pool that grows stronger the more we use magic, and then there were something about enchantments I didn't really get" The young man said and the other male nodded.
"So you know a few facts. Good, this will be easier if you understand what you're doing" The old mage said and stood up, walking over to a book and picking it up with his white aurora.
"What can you do with your magic boy? I saw how you read me and the princess, yet that is nothing if one has enough patience" Star Swirl said and put the book on the table, the thing becoming enveloped in a green aurora and flouting to Nathaniel's hand.
"I can make things flout if I concentrate hard enough, but I've discovered that trying to make more objects than one flout takes it toll on my body, it's even worse if said objects weigh a lot" The human muttered, remembering the nose bleed he got from levitating Blaze and Osiris.
"That hints on you being new to using magic, similarly to a foal" The old stallion simply said and motioned for Nathaniel to continue.
Being compared to a child didn't sit well with him, but when it came down to it he was a child in this land. The human knew next to nothing about magic and he had only used it in the woods to either have more powerful arrows or levitate frogs. Yet the fact that he had figured that out on his own was a minor accomplishment.
"I could summon a shield, yet the act drained me very quickly and it always cracked from the first second an enemy hit it. I could light my arrows on fire for extra force when they hit, making fending off monsters a bit easier. I could even discharge all my energy in one great blast of magic at a foe" He told the mage calmly who poured them both some tea.
"Interesting, you learnt this on your own as well, impressive Guardian Sol" The unicorn mused and pointed to the book in the human's magical grasp.
"That tome holds information you will need in your studies, better keep it in good condition as well. If I find one of my tomes destroyed because of you guess who's getting me a new one" The bearded pony said and the young man rolled his eyes, looking over the book.
The tome was bound by a hard stone cover, symbols carved into the back and front that glowed every so often due to the magic surrounding it. The first pages mostly went through what magic was, which all basically said "Magic is mana, mana is spiritual energy and therefor is mana linked to the soul" or something like that. After the introduction the pages started to talk about spells and the theory behind using them.
"I'll be careful with it" Nathaniel said with a small smile as the pages about levitation intrigued him.
"You enjoy magic, don't you boy? I can see it in your eyes, each time your mark glows you smile" The stallion said and the human nodded.
"I find it liberating, immense power used with a flick of the wrist. As I've been bound to serve you magic feels like way to escape that fact, even if it for just a second" He sighed and looked at the mark on his hand, the rune glowing a powerful green.
"Many find magic as a way to escape what their bodies cannot do, yet this mind set is not a healthy one. To loose oneself in fantasy will never end well for anyone" The unicorn informed him before standing up, sipping from his tea.
The stallion walked over to a blackboard and started to draw images of balls of energy. The things he drew seemed to gain a life of their own and started to glow and hum, like he had somehow infused magic into them. The two balls he drew were very different. One of them were lively and green, glowing and sparking with energy while the other was a deep red and stood completely still.
The unicorn then drew a smiling pony above the green orb and a frowning one over the red orb. The entire thing was meant to represent something, that thing most likely being emotions. From the clear contrast of the two ponies and balls there was just one assumption to make.
"One is happiness and one is anger?" The human asked and Star Swirl nodded.
"Yes, that is correct. Magic is highly affected by the emotions from the caster or in the air. Hatred and anger can quickly lead to your magic taking on the same attributes and therefor corrupting things around them with the same feeling. Yet one can harness those emotions and magic for good by accepting them and understand why one feel like that" The stallion answered and a quill along with some paper was levitated to the young man.
So he wanted Nathaniel to take notes, good idea actually. The human wrote down what the mage had said so far and drew a few bad illustrations to have visual representation. So he was back in school then, why did this world hate him so much? Wasn't it bad enough that he was forced into servitude? Then again, he was gonna learn about magic, so it might not be that bad.
"So what you are saying is that if one keeps a clear head they shouldn't have any problems with magic?" He asked and the wizard pony nodded after thinking for a little while.
"Yes, by fueling one's magic with positive emotions and keeping oneself calm it is much easier to handle the mystical energy we call mana" Star Swirl confirmed before drawing a sword next to an ordinary hammer, both of those drawings gaining colour and animation as well.
"If you would tell me which object is more powerful which one would you pick?" The wizard asked the human.
"I feel like you want me to pick the sword, so I'll humor you. I choose the blade" Nathaniel said and sipped on his tea.
The older stallion gave him a small smirk and lit his horn once again, the animated drawings starting to glow brighter. Many symbols appeared over the hammer while a single mark appeared on the sword. The runes that had appeared were clearly to show enchantments and what they could do.
"The sword is a more common weapon yes, but as you can see it only has one enchantment. The mark is the rune for fire and heat, allowing the sword to survive great fires as well as manipulate them to an extent. The hammer on the other hoof isn't what is normally used as a weapon, but with all the enchantments placed upon it this thing could destroy armor with a simple swing" The bearded pony said and the young man wrote it down.
"The power of an object is not only measured in what it can cut through, if it has the right magic behind its power then it could beat a sword. That is the power of magic, enchantments and potions. One can never know an objects true power based solely upon appearances" Nathaniel's new teacher said and the human smirked.
'don't judge a book by its cover' He thought for himself before the stallion continued.
"But what baffles me about you Guardian Sol, is the rune you have burnt into your body. To cast an enchantment one need to be a skilled mage to begin with, and that is with inanimate objects! To bind a rune to something's very essence you need the power of an alicorn if not something more. So tell me, are you sure that you have no idea where it came from?" Nathaniel was asked by the unicorn.
"I'm afraid I have no idea why it burned its way onto my hand. But I think I would be stuck home without it, a little funny though, as I trained the chains of riches to the chains of servitude" He mumbled and the pony in the room eyed him with a rised brow.
"Nothing, nothing. Ignore what I said old stallion" The human said and his new teacher shrugged before turning back to the blackboard.
"To make an enchantment one must fill a rune with magic to activate it while carving the rune into the object of choice. The rune will then be charged and will need recharges of magical energy once the original spark has disappeared. The only exception are soul-bound weapons but we won't go over those in a long time" Star Swirl said and Nathaniel nodded.
"Now, with that question of yours answered I can go in depth on what you're actually doing when you levitate something" The unicorn said and erased what was on the blackboard before drawing a glowing horn.
"When a creature can channel their magic, may it be through a horn or a snap of their talons, they are using the mana within them and redirecting it at something around them. The thing levitation really does is to cut of gravity for the object you're "holding" and then make it followed the path your magical aurora chooses for it" The stallion said as the blackboard soon showed the image of a glowing horn and flying quill.
"So I simply use an invisible hand to move objects around" Nathaniel concluded and the older stallion scoffed at him.
"Hardly, one must see or feel the object one wants to move. You cannot grab something from behind you unless you know it's there. Yes one could make a point that creatures with hands also need to feel or see something to grab it, but if something accidentally lands in your hand behind your back then you can still catch it. With magic this is not so, even if you feel it for a brief moment during meditation, as you need to react quickly and therefor concentrate quickly. Concentration gets easier and easier with time for some, but with others it's hard to concentrate on things if they don't have the object in their line of sight" The unicorn said and took a deep breath after his little rant.
The human wrote it all down, adding some of his own thoughts and speculations to his notes. One paper was simply filled with ideas like: "Levitate something that is frozen in time" or "See what happens if you levitate Celestia's crown, possible banishment?".
"I think you have a lot to read up on and think about from what little information I've given you today Guardian Sol. You can find your way back to the castle grounds I'm sure, I must prepare for having a new pupil and make a few things you will need during some of my lessons" Star Swirl said and Nathaniel got up, putting the notes under his wolf coat.
"Thank you for this first lesson, but tell me, does Celestia want you to keep an eye on me as well?" The human asked and the old mage shook his head with a chuckle.
"She cannot order me to do anything like that, I only heed the orders that might be beneficial for Equestria. I see you protecting Luna with the right skill set as beneficial for the nation" The wizard said as Nathaniel headed to the door.
He thanked Star Swirl one more time before opening the door and heading out in the cold winter-land, pulling the cost around him even more than the earlier morning. From what he could tell he had been with the mage for at least two hours, if not more. So heading back to his warm bed and possibly reading something sounded nice to the young man.
When Nathaniel opened the door to his room (which now had a rose and a dagger crest added below his own rune) he found some chaos. The bat pony mare was desperately trying to get Blaze and Osiris to not rip each other apart. The table was overturned and what had once been a bowl of soup was now a brown liquid mixed with porcelain pieces. His bed-sheets were over Blaze's head for some reason and the sword Luna had given him was being swung wildly by the angry earth pony scout.
"So, can you tell me why you are trying to kill each other again?" He asked the three and all of their gazes were turned to the human now.
"You need to control your beast! It tried to bite of my face to get some damn soup!" Osiris yelled, dropping the sword while his black mane being nipped at by the wolf cub.
The sand coloured stallion had his yellow eyes fixated at the wolf with hatred as he tried to not stand on his injured leg. The dagger cuitemark on his flank also was something that made the human a bit worried, if this guy was trained (or rather his special talent, knowledge obtained from moon-horse herself) with knives and was good at stealth he didn't want him stalking Blaze anytime soon for that attack in the woods.
Nathaniel's trusty companion glared at Osiris and growled threateningly as the wolf circled back and forth between the human's bed and the sanguine mare (the more formal name for them apparently). Blaze hadn't met the pony with the best of circumstances and it was already making the young hunter weary of the other male in the group.
In the middle of this sat Rose, her pink eyes looking back and forth between the two like she hoped they would just shake hands and move on with their lives. This was not gonna happen as both the stallion and wolf hated each others guts. One for helping out with his owners abduction and the other because of pain and injury to his leg.
There was a way to settle the flames of war, or at least for a little while. All Nathaniel had to do was to put down a few ground rules about his room. Like not tearing apart said room because of stuff that really didn't matter anymore. The young man had been captured and put to work, growling at someone wasn't gonna bring back the camp. Being angry at a creature for protecting its borders were dumb, as one who knew wolves knew to not enter their lair haphazardly.
At the end of the day there was one thing to admit, the wolf and the pony hated each other. But Nathaniel was not going to let them destroy his room because of that. So it was time to bring out the hard truth, the one thing that he could say that would at least confuse them all.
"This my room, so here is how it'll work. Blaze, stay away from the pony. Guardian Osiris, stay away from the wolf. Follow these simple rules and our living space might survive for a week" He deadpanned and the wolf whined in disappointment before backing away from the stallion.
"Why should I listen to you? You are not a commanding officer nor my equal" The earth pony huffed only for the human to grab his collar and pull him up so they were face to face.
"I've built up quite a lot of stress, anger, annoyance and fear during these last few days. Unless you want me to take it out on you I suggest you follow my simple rule, sir" Nathaniel hissed out and his eyes glowed a menacing green to prove his point.
Rose looked on and her wings twitched nervously as she looked on, the two males giving each other the same amount of intense glare. The sanguine mare was about to say something before Osiris sighed and nodded, hanging his head in defeat. Glad that the room was saved for the time being the young man dropped the stallion and picked up his sword from the ground.
"And don't touch my stuff, any of you" He said and put the blade back into its sheet laying on his bed.
"So.. Should we have a better introduction now? You know, start over and all that?" The bat-pony asked and Nathaniel shrugged.
"My name is Nathaniel Sol, I'm seventeen years old and currently stuck in this fucking castle with you. That's all you need to know" The human said coldly and the mare flinched.
"Well, my name is Rose Thorn. I am a guardian appointed lieutenant of the Equestrian army with expertise in long range weapons as well as knives" She said and held out her hoof for Nathaniel, who took it with a sigh a few seconds later.
"Seventeen? So you're a kid? You do fit the MO, angry, disrespects authority and seek freedom. Funny how they got a creature not allowed to drink to protect the princess of the night" Osiris said with a smirk and was given a glare by the human.
"I'm young, but give me a chance and I'll kick your ass" He said and walked up to the stallion only for the mare to separate them.
"Both of you, stop! Osiris, please just introduce yourself so we can start building some sort of trust! We have the mission to protect Luna for pete's sake!" Rose yelled and the stallion grumbled before sighing.
"My name is Osiris, first scout of the Equestrian army, that is all you need to know" The sand coated pony told the young man before holding out his hoof, Nathaniel taking it with a huff.
"The wolf is called Blaze, treat him with respect and he'll stop growling" The human said before the a guard appeared by the open door (it was a stallion, miracles do happen).
"Princess Luna has requested Guardian Sol, Thorn and Osiris to meet her in the throne room. Failure to be there in ten minutes will be met with harsh punishment" The guard said and glared at them before trotting back towards his partner who was standing by the hallway corner.
The young man didn't quite know what to make of the order, why were they being summoned? The thing that made this stand out however was the fact that ALL of them were summoned (except Blaze, but he followed on default), something that spoke about a matter of grave importance.
The two ponies in the room wasted no time and hurried out the door, Nathaniel standing there and thinking for a moment before shrugging, he didn't have a choice. The human followed them and the wolf followed him, the four of them walking down the maze of hallways before reaching the throne room, Nathaniel wondering what they were doing there.
When they arrived the doors were opened by the two guards guarding it, showing them the big room. Luna was the only monarch in the room, the princess of the sun nowhere to be seen, which didn't really hurt the human's feelings. Nathaniel did not feel like speaking to her only a few days since the spell had been cast.
Once the lunar mare noticed them she beckoned them inside, the four walking in only for the doors to close behind them. As they all looked upon the room they noticed a grand table had been pulled into the room, a map laying on it. From what one could see it was a world map with different nations borders drawn upon it.
"I'm glad you all came with such haste, I need to give you this information now when I still have the chance" Luna said and got of her throne, walking towards them.
The two ponies saluted and looked surprised at the princess addressing them without noble speech, yet they seemed to enjoy the change if the smiles on their muzzles was anything to go by. Nathaniel just looked on, not showing any sign of respect yet neither not being disrespectful, he just stood there and listened to what the princess had to say, wondering if they could return to the messy room soon to clean it up.
"I must partake on a diplomatic journey to the other nations to speak about our borders and the new kingdoms being formed across the world. These talks will require my presence as already sated, which means we cannot just send an ambassador to speak for our behalf" The alicorn said and the human realized where this was going.
"Because of this you must follow with me on this journey, as your first assignment" Luna finished and the two ponies gave a nod to her while Nathaniel thought about it.
So far he had only seen the Everfree and the castle out of all things in Equestria, so the news of having to get used to a whole new landscape before he even knew the current country he took residence in was grim. Then again, he could be sitting in a cell, so things could be worse.
"This means that your new teacher will follow with us to continue your magic studies while we're abroad, your weapon training will be have to be put on pause however" Luna told the human who nodded, knowing he had to follow along.
"I will give you until tomorrow to have your things ready. The ship to the Gryphon capital takes three days, so bring something to fight boredom" The princess said with a small smile before waving her hoof, showing them that they were dismissed.
As they left the throne room Nathaniel could only feel like something was wrong, like this first mission was a bad idea. He had barely no training and was still adjusting to the whole "being a servant" thing. If this went wrong he wasn't sure about what he could do to prevent a catastrophe from taking place. Then again, this was just some diplomatic talks, what could really go wrong? Sure some king might feel insulted but from what he had seen so far lied there more dangers in the Everfree than in the court, or at least he hoped so.
~Second Lieutenant Fury's POV~
As I looked upon the crystal empire I could only grin, the crystal buildings and light the city produced making it stand out among the frozen north. So far I was using my days off fairly well, having reached my detestation without problems and in two days, saving me a lot of time.
The carriage I had been using to get here was marked with marks and symbols from several nations and cultures, making me gag. I was tired of seeing our borders open after everything that happened, the princess was not smart enough to understand why we needed to close ourselves off to the world. We needed military strength, but if she would not listen to reason after what Discord did it was up to me to defend the kingdom.
But to defend the kingdom I would need power and a great source to match. My son's empire was a good start, the crystal heart he carved filled with enough magic to spread positive emotions across the land. Sure it was still possible for it to be destroyed but what did that matter. It was a source of magical energy, one we could harness.
When I jumped off the carriage and walked past the guards I grinned at the salute they gave me. So far not many knew of me loosing my high rank, this would be easier than I first thought. My son had always been easy to manipulate, making this empire was the first time he had gone against my orders, and even then he still allowed full access to the city. He was a fool, just like Celestia.
I reached the castle in the middle of the city without much problem, walking past the crystal heart with a small smirk. If everything went according to plan then soon Equestria wouldn't need the royal sisters anymore, and with them gone that creature would suffer more than just a tiny spark.
My son met me in his personal library, the books mostly talking about magic. In here one could find weird notes on chaos magic, find a light magic spell to clean one's mind, find a dark magic artifact hidden away in a secret compartment or discover new ways to manipulate the mana in the air.
Many of these books had I given to him, my son gladly accepting more books to his collection. He had taken after me and become a very impressive battle mage, even earning the honorary title of "Knight Enchanter" by the dark kingdom in the mysterious south. He was a better combat mage than most, yet he still had a lot to learn when it came to trust.
My son's red mane and white coat made me thing of Celestia before she reached her full magical potential. The red came from my part of the family while the white coat came from his mother. His purple eyes and the blue haze that flowed from the side of his eyes really stood out from the rest of his body, yet so did the black curved horn on top of his head.
With his cutiemark being that of a crystal crown surrounded by a circle of books it was quite easy to see what his destiny was meant to be. My son was what the princess would call "a good dark mage", with him magic fueled by emotions that only gave him half the power he could achieve if he gave into anger. As I said, he was a fool.
"Well you see that is why I'm here. I'm afraid this creature has somehow influenced the princesses, so I am requesting the old tome on dark spells to study for a way to break them free from the vile monsters control" I told the younger unicorn who eyed me with a uncertainty.
"Are you certain father? If what you say is true then we need to send combat mages there now and defeat this beast" Crystal said to me with a confident stance.
"I wish it was so easy my son, but we need to act with caution. This monsters controls things over in Equestria now, meaning we need to be patient. So far it's posing as princess Luna's bodyguard and will most likely follow her around on diplomatic missions. It will try to take other nations as well if we don't act son" I said and the crystal king nodded slowly, making me grin.
"Without evidence this hard to believe father. I'm not sure if you might be over-exaggerating or not father. I'm making a gamble by borrowing you this book" He told me and I could only smile.
"Don't you trust your father?" I asked simply and my son's worried expression was replaced with a smile.
"I do, so borrow the book. Find a way to break the sisters mind-control, you can even use my study room if you wish. I'll make sure that you are not disturbed" He said and I followed him out the library to a golden door down the long crystal hall.
King Crystal Sword opened the door for me and I walked inside, putting the book down on a table. With this I would keep Equestria safe and make this pathetic excuse of an empire rejoin the glorious nation of ponies. This power was not to be wasted on a stallion that didn't even know the true power he could wield.
"Thank you Crystal. If you wouldn't mind, could I be left alone? I'd like to start right away" I told my son who nodded and left the room with a smile, closing the door behind him.
With him gone I opened up the book and started to eagerly read though the tome, with each page turned my knowledge about the dark art increasing. Soon I had gathered the dark energy in my horn, but instead of doing it like my foolish son and only passively use dark emotions I used every ounce of hatred I held for that creature and let it flow through me.
With this power I would be able to defend Equestria, I would stand as its champion. Mares would pine for me, even the princesses would raise their rumps on command for my might. Nothing would stand in my way as I destroyed all threats to my empire.
A normal dark mage is meant let the magic become a part of them, to let it flow through them and make a bond with the magic. I took that energy and forced it out of my horn, dark black crystals starting to spread across the table and floor. Slowly I began to laugh and that laughter soon became a cackle.
Purple whisps slowly started to tear their way out of the side from my eyes and my horn painfully started to twist and bend as I let he dark magic flow through me. I never stopped laughing even as my cutiemark changed from a ball of fire to a black crystal, I never stopped laughing as tears of blood flowed down my cheeks as I let the corruption (the one thing all dark mages feared) take over my body, I never stopped laughing as my mane turned black and my coat grey and I never stopped laughing even when my horn turned blood red and black lightning shoot out all across the room.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for reading chapter six
Chapter Seven: The angel and the sea
"Day seven-hundred of our voyage, Luna is really boring" The human said for his mental diary and the princess rolled her eyes at the bored guardian.
They had been at sea for a few hours, the small harbor they had left behind long gone in the distance. The ship was pretty big, or at least it was big for Nathaniel. The captain had said it was a brig, so it was a medium sized ship most used for cargo then. The cargo transported this time was a little more important however, as the lunar princess governed a pretty large portion of the world.
The quarters they found themselves in was that of the captain, but as Luna was on board it had been converted to her own personal room, moon banners and all. Even a small bookshelf had been brought with her for the two months they would be gone. When the young man first heard about them being gone for so long he hesitated to step on the boat, a stern glare from Celestia has changed his mind pretty quickly however.
He was sitting by the round table in the middle of the room, the box shaped captain's quarters not really suited for royalty, but it was a good disguise. So far ships that had been carrying royalty was often attacked for having decors out of gold or fancy looking hulls, according to the captain at least, so they had not picked a large ship bearing the royal sisters crest.
The human found it to be a dumb idea, as they could still be attacked as a cargo ship. Even if it minimized the chances for someone hunting them because they had royalty on board it didn't do squat about the common pirates and thieves on the sea. This very thought was the reason why there was more guards then crew on the ship.
The princess of the sun had wanted the best protection for Luna while she was abroad, meaning that the best and most loyal guards had been sent with them to help keep her safe. It was a good idea, but the amount of soldiers on the ship was a dead giveaway that the vessel was hiding something valuable inside it.
Which was the reason Luna's new guardians were put to the test, meaning they had shifts where they stayed with the princess in the cabin while the others guarded outside the door. Blaze was with Star Swirl below deck, having taken a shine to the old pony after Nathaniel introduced the wolf to the wizard.
Guarding the princess had a few perks. For one you didn't have to stick around the angry grumbles of the guards outside, all of them annoyed by the new guardians being the ones to protect the princess instead of them. So standing guard outside the cabin door meant taking a lot of glares, and Nathaniel just found that uncomfortable.
What made the cabin boring however was that during duty they were not really allowed to speak with Luna unless addressed. Sure he had broken this rule many times but she just returned it with a look of a soft giggle at a dumb joke he told in an attempt to break her stone face while she read over important documents.
The human had tried to start up several conversations but was always shot down by the alicorn, telling him that she needed to focus on the upcoming work she was forced to do. With a sigh he had given up and tapped his fingers on the table only for her to envelop his hand with her magical aurora to stop it.
When he tried to hum on a song she had put a blue magic bubble around him to silence him and even when he made rude gestures to get her attention Luna made no effort to pay him any mind. The princess wasn't being mean per say, she was showing him how to act when around her in public and around Celestia if she ever required him to act as her bodyguard.
Nathaniel wasn't even allowed to read a book, as that would also distract from his duties, which meant he was bored. After a week of constant change and excitement he had to admit that just sitting down and doing nothing threw him off quite a bit. The young man had gotten used to the servant life being fast paced, so why was he on a boring boat with a princess refusing to speak with him?
"If you truly feel so bored then you can practice your magic skill for a while, or if you feel up to it try to get to know your fellow guardians. Trust will be required in battle if you are to protect and stay alive" Luna said, not looking up from the book in her magical grasp.
"I'd rather get some information on where we are going princess. I'd rather not offend a king by mistake or make your nation look bad because of something I said" The human huffed out and the alicorn put down the book.
"We are going to Griffonstone, the capital of the griffon empire. It's Ruler, King Guto, has requested these talks about our borders for a long time and we can finally appease him" The lunar mare said and looked at the map depicting the territories of the different nations.
The green part of the long map belonged to Equestria, taking up almost a fourth of the world map. It stretched from the yellow borders of the crystal empire down to the blue borders of the mysterious south (or dark kingdom as it was called). The red borders started right next to the Equestrian borders end, making the two split the Celestial Sea in half. The red borders of the Griffon Empire enveloped the entire southern part of the map, making it compete against the pony nation with sheer size. The badlands draw on the map were a purple circle in the middle of the dark kingdom's and Equestria's borders, its other referred name being "The Dragonlands".
"So why exactly are you discussing borders? Is there a problem I should be aware of?" Nathaniel asked her and she shook her head.
"So far it's more about reinforcing them and making sure the nations are ready to help each other if a crisis occurs. We have been allies with the griffins for such a long time that it's more of a friendly visit than actual talks, even if those will happen as well" Luna told the human who nodded.
"A thing that might be good to know is that their empire focus heavily on military might, one of the many reasons we allied ourselves with them when our mother and father united the broken tribe's land into our kingdom" The priness said and Nathaniel pondered about that.
"So we're safe there right? No assassins or sudden attacks?" He asked her and the alicorn nodded.
"The Griffon Empire has little to no problems with bandits, and assassination attempts on either ruler would be a foolish thing to do with the amount of soldiers that guard the meeting" Luna mused and then went back to reading her book.
"If you say so" The human mumbled in response and went back to drumming his fingers on the table.
He sat there and just eyed the mare for a few minutes, trying to see if his small (but annoying) antics would make her break the silence of the room. After a few rude gestures, most of which she didn't understand anyway, Nathaniel gave up on this endeavor and levitated a book to him from the bookshelf.
The book was about the Griffon Empire and as they were heading there (and Luna was gonna give him the silent treatment for his training) he could as well read up on the country they would spend a week in. So the human opened up the first few pages and was immediately met with a picture of "The idol of Boreas". The gold chalice like object held a great pearl on the golden foot formed like an eagle claw. From around the pearl a golden wing swirled around it, making the object look truly majestic.
Nathaniel read on as the pages spoke about what the great artifact could do, mentioning that the first Griffon king, King Grover, used it to unite the griffins and form the great empire they had today. The idol was said to hold power which lead to the wielder becoming better at commanding others and getting those below them be more loyal to one's cause.
The young man thought that the idol sounded a bit like light brainwashing. The wielder could just suddenly command people and get others to blindly follow them? Why did it feel like another type of servitude, like the one he was currently in? Sure the book didn't outright state that the idol forced people to follow someone, but the idea of becoming more loyal from a magical object rather than a trust built with the one you followed didn't sit well with him.
"This idol of boreas, does it brainwash you?" The human asked the princess who put down her book, looking thoughtful.
"Yes and no. King Guto has the ability to command creatures very easily and get their trust without effort. But so far he has not abused it somehow, and it's reach is limited to those who serve under him, not creatures from other nations. When you meet him you'll mostly feel the air of authority around him being pretty thick" The alicorn said, deciding to concentrate on her bodyguard.
"Still feels weird, I'd rather not have anyone poking inside my mind thank you very much" He said and she nodded.
"I understand your fear, but you will be fine. King Guto's father was a good Griffon and raised his son to be the same, you have nothing to worry about in Griffonia" Luna said with a small smile but dropped it at the sight of Nathaniel's frown.
"Tell you what, just do this for me and when we return I'll have Celestia release you. You have proven yourself to not be a danger to our subjects in my mind and I can see how much your chains hurt you" The mare said and his eyes lit up with hope.
The spell had only been on him for a few days, but the weight it had on his mind was taking its toll. To always know that you were not truly free was a cold emotion. He had came here and been given freedom only to have it taken away by Celestia. But Luna was gonna give it back, she truly was compassionate and cared for those around her. The princess of the night was truly an admirable pony.
"Thank you so much princess" Nathaniel smiled, his grin making her giggle.
"You have gone through a lot in under a week's time, you have also been sent on a mission to some unknown country. You deserve to have a reason to stick around and have hope in the future" She said and his smile widened, her words were very touching.
"You are on a good path to earn my complete forgiveness" The human said with a grin and she gave him a smirk in response.
"I hope so, convincing Tia won't be easy. But after everything that have happened so far you have started to earn my trust. Act well during the talks and prove to me that we have absolutely nothing to fear and Celestia will be forced to release you from servitude" The princess smiled and offered him a sudden cup of tea, the human gladly taking it.
"Tell me Nathaniel, what did you do before coming to Equestria? You seem to know the manners a noble or royal uses during meals yet you avoid using it. I have seen how you started at the violin player in the courtroom from time to time again, so I assuming you enjoy music as well?" The princess of the night said and the young man looked at her in surprise.
So his enjoyment of the violin had given something away? Dammit. Why oh why had he still some love for an instrument he could barely use. Anything that these ponies knew might be used against him, even if Luna had started to gain his trust he was still unsure about her sister. Celestia had mostly given him glares whenever she had spotted him in the castle, so there was no love coming from there. He needed to answer this carefully, but that cute cat like stare the alicorn was looking at him with made him wanna be honest.
"I used to help my father with small jobs he didn't want to do himself or that he was to cheap to pay a worker to do" He answered her first question and took a sip from his tea, damn her cat like cuteness.
"When it comes to the violin however, I used to play it as a child and at times during what little free time I had when working for my father. I don't think I could play it again however, or at least not with any skill. It was so many months ago since I played it last, yet the feeling of seeing that instrument is very liberating. It was one of the few things at home that made me feel happy" The human said and Luna looked at him for a long time before nodding.
"I understand now why you act so calm about serving someone else, you're used to it. I'm sorry about your father treating you like that" The alicorn said and splayed her ears back.
"If anything I killed him on my way out of his company building, so let us forget the past and focus on the road ahead" He responded and Luna eyed him at the mentioning of killing his father, but let it go.
Nathaniel was pretty sure his father had survived the magic fueled punch, but that didn't mean he had to wish for the old man's survival. It seemed the princess saw through his lie, her eyes starring into his intensely like she was looking for something. He couldn't look away for a few seconds, like her eyes was keeping him there, his mind feeling muddled. Just as soon as the feeling came it left, and the human shook his head to get rid of the tired feeling that came over him.
"Did you just read my mind?" He mumbled out and looked at the princess in disbelief.
"I read you, like you do during meditation. The only difference is that my alicorn magic leaves a mark, you know when I read you much more clearly than when you read others" The mare said and he nodded slowly, glad that she hadn't dived into his mind.
Standing guard outside this door was even more boring! On top of that the sea made him feel sick with the amount of salt the guardian could smell in the air, the glares from the ponies made him feel exposed, Blaze was howling below deck at something, Rose was almost falling asleep and the captain had been arguing with one of the soldiers for TWENTY FUCKING MINUTES about what kind of pebble hurt the most to chew on.
When had his life taken such a steep turn? An hour earlier and he had been reading up on Griffon lore with a cat like pony sipping on tea next to him. Now he was out here with the worst kind of company, Nathaniel and Rose wasn't even allowed to speak with one another, so he was once again bored. The only saving grace of the situation was that there was announce mixed in with the boredom, making it somewhat more exhilarating than just starring creepily at Luna.
Guardian Sol just stood there and looked at the other ponies who glared at him, making him more annoyed. If those amused signs he could feel from Luna was anything to go by then she knew very well that this was making him annoyed and stressed. Could she not take pleasure in his pain!? Sure he was being a bit over-dramatic, but the stillness of the ship was really getting to him.
The human had tried to speak with Rose several times now, trying to follow Luna's advise and get to know his fellow bodyguard better. But each time he tried to speak with her one of the soldiers would clear his throat and glare at him. Nathaniel swore that if it happened one more time he was gonna throw that stallion of the ship and let him swim back to Equestria!
"Rose, I have a question" Nathaniel asked her and the mare standing to his left looked up at him.
"Yeah? What do you want to know?" She asked and yet again a guard/solider/who cares anymore cleared his throat to shut them up.
That was it. He had had it with these jealous fucking guards and their attempts at annoying him. Stand aside Rose, he had a stallion to mess up. Which what he was going to do before Rose's eyes turned a deep red and she bared two fangs at the stallion, making both him and Nathaniel jump.
"Allow us to speak, Second-Lieutenant Scorch. I have put up with all of you showing clear disrespect for me and my two fellow guardians for hours but that is it. With the highest authority only second to the princesses and Lord Protector Silver Wing I order you to either do something productive or jump of the ship. Do. You. Got. That." The sanguine mare said, standing in the stallions face at the end of her rant, her two red eyes glowing in fury.
"Y-Yes Ma'am" Scorch said and backed off, running towards the larger group of guards standing there looking at the scene with fear.
Rose huffed and walked back to stand next to the stunned Nathaniel, looking very confused. So he had power over each and every one of these ponies? Why hadn't anyone told him so!? Maybe because they didn't trust him, but still! Why was he not told he could solve this problem ages ago?
"You had a question?" The bat-pony asked him and the human snapped out of it, thinking for a second.
"Yes, on Luna's orders I am to get to know you and Osiris better. So I'm wondering why you became a guardian" Nathaniel said and the mare was taken back at first before answering.
"I joined to keep and eye on you. Not because Celestia asked me to, even though she did, but rather to make sure you don't get hurt" She said and he was confused.
"After I tricked you I'd assume you would harbor more negative emotions for me than possessive ones. You have also known me for like three days, so why would you want to keep me safe?" Nathaniel asked her and she looked away with a frown.
"I threw that knife into your shoulder on the order of Major Fury, or rather second Lieutenant Fury now. I feel very bad about what happened to you and to make it up to you I'll watch your back" Guardian Rose said and looked back at him with a small smile.
The human was unsure how to feel, on one hand she had tossed a knife at him, on the other hand had she taken a dangerous position just to make up for it. Rose was clearly showing compassion for him the first few days he was here and if she was ready to keep him safe then Nathaniel felt very grateful towards her.
"If you seek forgiveness then you are on the right path, just give a little time and I'll forgive you. You were acting on orders after all" He said with a small smile and she reached up her hoof for him to shake.
"Friends?" The bat-pony asked and he hesitated.
Why was he hesitating? Hadn't he craved friends and people to connect with just months before? So now when he had a chance at making a friend why was he not taking that hoof right away? Was it just fear? Was it because he hadn't had such a connection before and it was scaring him? Was it because she had helped attack him? Was it because he didn't trust these ponies fully yet?
Even with all the thoughts and hesitation Nathaniel still took her hoof and shook it. It felt good to know that he now had someone to watch his back and talk to except Luna. After such a long time he had finally someone to call a friend and the young man was not gonna lie, he loved it.
"So, do you play cards or anything?" The young man asked the sand colored earth pony who eyed him with a rised brow.
After he and Rose, mostly Rose, had stopped the other guards from disrespecting them she had been called into the cabin and Osiris had been sent out. The two males now stood side by side, the stallion not giving Nathaniel any kind of attention unless he found it to be important. They had been like that for over two hours before the young man had asked for something.
The human wasn't exactly a master when it came to social interactions, which meant small talk wasn't his strong suit. The question about cards had been asked just to find out something about the stallion next to him, Nathaniel unsure about how he would gain the earth pony's trust.
"I play cards from time to time, why do you ask Sol?" Osiris asked the human guardian.
A thing he had noticed about Osiris was that whenever he spoke about or to him the earth pony would always call him "Sol" or "Guardian Sol". There was no attempt at getting to know Nathaniel on a deeper level nor to gain his trust, Osiris just didn't like him. At least the stallion wasn't vocal about it.
"I thought that maybe we could play some later, you know, get to know each other?" He asked the pony with a awkward smile who eyed him with disinterest.
He had acted fine around Rose and Luna mostly because they had shown clear compassion and worry for him, Osiris on the other hand was hard to start up a conversation with. Nathaniel couldn't even play cards, he had never learnt any advanced card game like poker or the like, so asking about something the human couldn't even play hadn't been his most bright idea.
"I know what the princess wants us to do human, but I care nothing for it. You and your mut had been nothing but problem since you arrived. I'm lucky your guardian title holds no real power since Princess Celestia do not trust you, I can see what you desire. Every time I look away you get let tense and eye the ocean, hoping to find a way to get off this ship. But let me tell you something, as long as I breathe you're not running away from your assigned duties, guardian Sol. Is that understood?" Osiris asked and pulled Nathaniel down by his collar so they were eye to eye.
"I understand sir" He responded with slight fear, the earth pony having noticed a bit more than the young man would have wanted.
"Good, now you will stand here and guard the door. No distractions, no talking and if I spot you eyeing the lifeboat again Celestia help me I'll kick your ass. Got it?" The stallion asked the human who nodded in response, being let go to stand up straight again.
Nathaniel had hoped that conversation would go a little better, but he wouldn't win over everyone in one week. He would have to prove himself and hope for that Osiris wouldn't leave him to die in a fight. But with how the stallion glared at him it was a slim chance the earth pony would save him even if he carried Luna on his shoulders.
"Day five-hundred of our voyage, it's night and the meat Luna brought with her taste like chicken" The human narrated to himself as he sat by his bed below deck, the bowl in his hands mostly empty.
Having stood guard most of the day had drained most of his energy, having to not move a muscle to not upset Osiris. But when the day finally turned to night they had all been dismissed, Luna having sanguine stallions (whoa, more dudes) guard the door to the cabin.
The princess had been true to her word with getting meat for him if he took the position as guardian, the white fish reminding him of a salmon but it tasted like chicken. This was the first meat he had been given since he had hunted in the woods, the fish having been cooked on the ship by one of the chefs.
The stallion that had given him the bowl of fish and lettuce had looked disgusted to say the least, but Nathaniel didn't care, he had meat! Oh how he had missed the feeling of having a stable meal for the last three days, pancakes being the only thing that had been close to giving him any kind of satisfaction.
The human had not been given a fork or spoon, meaning he was eating with his bare hands. They already saw him as an animal, so why not live up to their expectations. The chicken salmon was really good though, something the wolf sitting next to him would attest to.
The small room was just a door and a space large enough to fit the bed he and the wolf was using. The bed itself was very comfortable for being used at sea, the human and wolf both fitting on it. The young man wondered if Luna had requested the bed for him, seeing how it was so much larger than a pony's bed. If she had than that was another point for the princess of the night.
There was a round glass window in the cramped room, the only source of light in the room being Luna's moon. But it at least allowed him to watch the stars, the beautiful night sky shining unlike anything he had seen back on earth. This world was truly more beautiful than anything he had seen back home, the ever changing constellations making his eyes widen.
As he and the wolf watched out the window could Nathaniel hear the sounds of hooves from above him, Luna obviously moving around in the captain's cabin. The thought of a being having so much power that she could change how the sky looked was both terrifying and inspiring, making him yearn for the ability to do the same thing.
As Nathaniel ate his meal he shared the meat with the wolf next to him. Blaze had already been fed by Star Swirl earlier that day, but the wolf gladly took what the human gave him as they watched the night sky shift and sway. Was it an illusion? Or did Luna have so much power she could move stars so far away? Did it really matter?
Blaze laid down on the human's lap and his tail wagged happily as the human petted him, the wolf licking his hand in appreciation. The two just sat there on the bed before the human laid down, Blaze laying down next to him for warmth and support. They had made it past the first day without to many problems, the second day of their journey looked less bleak now than it had before. With that positive thought the human fell asleep, his calm breathing soon sounding through out the tiny room.
"So, do I hold any power over your troops?" Nathaniel asked Luna who was sitting by the open window, enjoying the wind and sun coming from the Celestial Sea.
"No, you hold the title of guardian without the privileges that entails as long as you are under the servant spell" The alicorn said calmly and offered him some tea, the human taking it.
The two of them talking over a cup of tea was becoming a habit, one he found fairly relaxing, if it wasn't for the bad news the princess often brought to him. The fact that he held such a high position but at the same time had no power confused him, wondering how that even worked legally. But then again, the princesses made the laws.
"So once that is removed I hold control over troops?" He asked the mare and took a sip from the tea cup.
"Yes and no. You can command troops, but only if you have to and I've given my permission in any way. This is because you lack military training and with it the experience to lead, meaning that you will only command if necessary" The princess of the night said and turned to him.
So the human held limited power over the army, if he was given permission to use it. But to do that he needed the spell removed, and Celestia would not remove it anytime soon unless Luna convinced her. That white coated mare seemed to fear everything, what had made her so afraid and overprotective?
"Wait, does that mean I am above a general or at the same level? I have been with you for like five days and I have that sort of power?" Nathaniel asked and she giggled at his confused expression.
"While the guardians do hold power like that is still very limited, as we cannot have them go mad with power. The only one except me or my sister that truly hold such power over country and the army is the Lord Protector, the chosen defender and spokespony for the land" Luna informed the human and sipped down her tea, pouring up more.
"So this Lord Protector, who is he? Or she?" He asked the mare who pointed to a silver figure placed on the map.
The silver object was that of a Pegasus in armor, the figure placed in the north of Equestria to show where the Lord Protector was. The ship they were on, the "Golden Stallion" if Nathaniel remembered correctly, was placed out in the middle of the Celestial Sea. There was a few other markers, like a golden pin in Zebra territory or a jade sword in the dark kingdom, clearly all to show some important pony or creature being there.
"Lord Protector Silver Wing, first general of the Equestrian army and commander Hurricane's first born son. He has helped defend this land for a long time and he's never backed down from any assignment given to him by me or Celestia" She told the human and smiled slightly.
"The mares are just swarming around that one" Luna mused and took another sip from her cup, Nathaniel doing the same.
"I need to ask you something that has been on my mind for a while. Why are there so many more mares than stallions in Equestria?" He asked the princess who raised a brow at him.
"Why is this information important?" The alicorn questioned and he thought for a second.
"It's just a question, I come from a place where there are female to male ratio is pretty much fifty-fifty" The human said and Luna looked at him in disbelief.
"Really? The only kingdom even close to that is the Zebra kingdom, and even then there is at least two mares per one stallion" She said and looked at him with interest.
"So, how is it in the Griffon Empire then?" The unwilling servant asked and the mare looked at the map for a few seconds.
"While Equestria has always had a problem with an overflow of the female sex the Griffins have the same problem but in reverse. For every three males there is one female, which is the reason you will see many Hippogryphs while we're there, our populations often mingle and start families together" Luna said and he nodded, taking in all this new information.
Wait, so did that mean that crossbreeding was possible here? Sure it was a magical land but the fact that two different species could conceive a child like it was nothing special must mean it was common, which meant he could see many more mixes of magical creatures! Oh he was actually a bit excited about this whole thing now.
"Wait, with that kind of ratio between male to female how to keep such stable population numbers?" The young man asked the princess who gave him a weird look.
"Through herds of course, even though it is not as common as it once was with the griffons gladly having relationships with ponies, is still happens quite often that the mares will share a stallion in marriage" She said and Nathaniel had problems with processing that information.
So the mares lead the relationships in Equestria then? Why did the image of some poor stallion being dragged into the darkness pop up into his mind from that thought alone? Yet, this also meant that the stallions were swimming in mares in this world. Wow, he had found his father's greatest dream, if one replaced the mares with women that is.
"So.. That is very different from my home" He said slowly and she looked at him, hoping her bodyguard would finally share some information about where he came from.
"If I tell you about my world and species will I get rid of this servant spell any quicker?" Nathaniel asked the alicorn who nodded.
"It's easier to convince my sister about your release if she's shown evidence of you being harmless. I know that we are putting you through a lot, but I need you to trust me if I am to trust you Nathaniel" Luna said with her head high, looking into his green eyes.
"I am from another world, something I'm pretty sure you have gathered from what information I've given you" He said and she looked completely stunned for a second.
"While I held suspicions and know of creatures from other realms I didn't think.. I mean.. I'm sorry, it's a lot to take in to finally confirm Star Swirl's theory on you. He spoke to me about residue traces of a portal near in the woods and on you, meaning that it had to be a powerful spell as we can still find traces from it months after it brought you here" The princess of the night said and tried to compose herself.
"I come from a world with almost seven point five billion humans, I lived in a city made up out of buildings that touched the sky, I was the heir of a large company worth twenty five billion US dollars, I lived my life in metaphorical shackles surrounded by dreams and desires not my own, I hurt my father so badly the day I mysteriously gained my magic I think and hope I broke his back, my old name was Nathaniel Rob Lucas Walker and my kind has a history of war that would make you feel sick" He rambled, just letting information pass onto the princess who did not suspect the sudden info dump.
hen Nathaniel finally ended his rant and looked at Luna the young man was scared for a second, the princess frozen. The mare just sat there in shook, her brain trying to process all the information handed to her by the human. The thought that the princess mostly focused on was the sheer amount of humans that was just beyond the dimensional veil.
"And you say, your kind are warmongers?" She suddenly questioned, trying to focus on that single thought so she had a starting ground.
"Yes, not all of them but many from my world gladly kill and starts wars" The human told Luna who in the end nodded.
"To think you dare to share this information even after you have been bound to service and stand before someone that has your fate in her hooves makes me respect you Guardian Sol, but I will need to see more signs of that you are willing to help us before I can even think about letting go of that spell. A species of seven billion warmongers" The alicorn mumbled and looked out the window.
Nathaniel couldn't help but feel like his panic filled info dump had done more bad than good. The clear fear and disbelief in her eyes had been enough to confirm for him that he needed to work harder now to gain her trust. She at least didn't fear him per say, but if Luna felt worry about his world then that could be attached to him. The young man did not want to be a servant for years because of someone else's fear.
"You are dismissed Guardian Sol, please have Guardian Osiris and Rose stay outside, I need to think" Luna said and Nathaniel nodded before leaving the cabin.
"So, do you drink blood?" The human asked the sanguine mare next to him, both of them getting scowls from having meat in their bowls.
"Yeah I do, thought I can eat other things, like meat. I just feel more full from drinking blood than just eating normal food. Then there is the fact that I feel very tired if I don't do it" Rose responded and chewed on the chicken salmon.
"So, is it normal for ponies and bats to get together or?.." He asked and got a playful punch from the bat-pony.
"We come from the dark kingdom, that is all we really know. So far any tome on how we sanguines came to be is either destroyed or to damaged to get any good Intel out of, meaning we don't know how the first sanguine came to be" The mare said and bit into her piece of fish.
"So you are a mystery? Well, if we're ever in the dark kingdom I'd gladly do some research. I don't like unanswered questions, they stick around and take up brain power" Nathaniel said and Rose nodded.
"We'll be going there later after the world council summit. This trip is about borders and relations, stuff I do not care much for but I still gladly follow Luna anywhere. It was she that intro-gated us into pony society through the Lunar guard, even if we only make up half of it" She said and the young man gladly soaked up the information, enjoying not being in the dark about things.
"Who are the world council?" Nathaniel asked and Rose took out a badge, that of a star with each spike being a different colour.
"The world council is made up of the strongest countries in the world. Even smaller kingdoms are allowed to join in but only gain a voice once they have reached a population of one million" The sanguine mare started and the two got comfy against the cabin door.
The deck was filled with ponies working, most of them looking at the mountains one could see in the distance. They would reach the Griffon Empire today, just like they had told him. It was a good thing they wouldn't be going any futher, Blaze was already trying to eat some of the crew for being pushy with him.
"Equestria, the Griffon Empire, The dark kingdom, The dragon lands, the zebrikan kingdom, the minotaur tribes land, the changeling empire and the crystal empire make up the world council, with the crystal empire acting more as a honorary member" The bat-pony said and finished up her meal.
"So, they are like the UN but made up of magical creatures. Cool" He said and she looked at him with confusion before shrugging.
"They handle all global matters and create laws all kingdoms must follow" She said as the captain called out to have the ship go faster, the wind finally picking up after being nonexistent for a while.
"We'll be in Griffonstone in two to three hours depending on the wind and if they make us wait down in the harbor" Rose exclaimed, muttering the last part.
"Will we as guardians have to do something special once we get there?" Nathaniel asked and the sanguine chuckled.
"Me and Osiris? No. You on the other hoof, they will be having a field day about what to do with you. Some will want to know if you have any diseases as you are a uncatalogued creature, some will want to check you to make sure you're not smuggling something and so on. We sent word about your existence to stop that, but they will want a full medical examination just to make sure you don't carry the plague" His fellow guardian said and the human threw his head back and groaned in frustration, even more creatures wanting to poke him with a stick, brilliant.
"I won't leave your side Nathaniel, as your superior and friend I'll make sure you'll be safe on your first assignment and that the Griffins keep their claws of you. Faust knows that they like exotic meat.." She muttered and the young man sighed, this was going to be a long week.
Sombra's POV
I looked upon the dark tome with a glee filled expression crossing my face, the dark purple wisps swirling from my eyes growing in size as dark energy surrounded my horn. I looked upon the maid sleeping in the corner, a blanket covering her body. She had been so shy and reluctant at first when she saw me, that had quickly changed with a few spells and lewd suggestions.
My son had so far not requested my presence yet, which aided in my plans. If he saw me in this form he'd have a panic attack like the fool he is, always afraid of taking power that was his by birthright. But if he was gonna ignore that power than I would gladly take it, take all of it.
The mare groaned and sat up, her now yellow eyes looking around the room in confusion. The small study room had once only been a round room built out of blue crystal, its walls was now a deep red and the wooden table was covered in a layer of black rock. I had been doing some changes that fitted the empire better than the light theme my son was going for.
"Ah, you're awake my dear" I said and walked over to her, the once blue eyed Pegasus looking at me with a carnal hunger.
"W-What did you do to me?" She whimpered out and I laughed, her weakness making me hunger for her flesh again.
"I simply laid with you miss Page, per your request" I said with a dark grin, her eyes widening as she crawled into a corner.
"No I would n-never, I couldn't have.. You did something to me! I feel weird and wrong! What did you do!?" The mare said and spread her wings wide, trying to intimidate me, cute.
"I simply mixed in some corruption into your blood my dear, it's nothing to worry about" I grinned as her yellow eyes looked into mine with panic.
"I'm telling King Crystal about this sir Fury, he will not stand for thi..!" She began only for me to magically take a hold of her neck and pick her up from the ground and into the air.
She gave of fear filled shrieks and trashed in panic as her air supply was cut off by my magic, looking at me with pleading eyes to make it stop. Only when she almost passed out did I drop her onto the floor, making her cough and sputter. Where my magic had held her a black crystal collar had appeared, a perfect thing for a mere pet. Her blue mane and yellow coat stood out in this room, she would have to dye it later. Dyeing her cutiemark would also be good, that book and featherduster not befitting of a royal's plaything.
"Now pet, what games should we play?" I asked with a dark smile and walked towards the mare who covered in the corner, her eyes looked in constant fear.
If one had been in the study section of the castle then her screams would have been deafening, but my son was gladly holding a parade outside, the screams of a maid mare no one would care about in a week being lost in the sea of happy cheers as the current king walked in front of his troops. I would defend my empire at any cost, it was my empire, and only my empire. My son would soon find that out the hard way.
Author's Note
I feel like at time I missed using use "somepony" or "someponies", but eh it happens. Thank you for reading another chapter of CoN
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Chapter Eight: The angel and the griffon king
The ship entered the harbor and stopped, the guards on deck tossing ropes to the griffins waiting for them on dry land. The bird creatures bound the ship to to the docks and then helped the ponies with pulling out the wooden platform used to board the ship.
Nathaniel watched it all from the cabin door, Luna getting ready to meet the griffon king. She had requested that all her guardians were to clean themselves up and look presentable, which was why Nathaniel was no longer wearing his self made clothes but rather a pair of white robes over armor-like pants and clothes.
The princess must have taken notes on the clothes he had been wearing and used her magic to measure him somehow, as the human had never agreed to model for someone that could make him new clothes. Rose and Osiris wore similar get-ups but for their size and stature with a silver helmet on top of their heads.
Luna had told him she hadn't gotten any time to make him a helmet, leaving him with his black hair and beard free in the wind. That was another thing the alicorn had wanted removed, his beard having grown out in the wild and looked messy like his hair, leading to Star Swirl now shaving him expertly using a knife.
Once the wizard was done with shaving him the human's hair was cleaned as well before being tied back into a pony tail, making Nathaniel look much more like his old self with the difference being a scar here or there from his time in the Everfree. But he looked more professional now, which would most likely help him here in the capitol of an empire.
The human looked to his right as the cabin door opened and Luna stepped forward, a silver crown with eight spikes on her head, a slack dress hugging her body and her normal royal regalia replaced with a silver collar. She looked much more like a ruler in that costume, much more like a queen than a princess.
She walked past him and headed towards the wooden platform, spreading her wings wide as a signal for the guards and her guardians to follow her. Nathaniel and Blaze walked behind her as Rose and Osiris took positions in front of her, eyeing the griffins that waited on the pier with suspicion. The young man was bust with holding the wolf back from the large sized chickens in front of them, Blaze growling and snapping his jaw at them.
"Princess, welcome to Griffonstone harbor. I am captain Steelbeak, chosen to be your guide and protector through our streets" A white feathered griffon said, his red eyes following the human behind the alicorn.
"Thou are not needed captain, we are safe and know these roads" Luna said and walked past the griffin warriors only for the captain to hold out his spear in front of her, making Rose glare at him.
"The roads are not safe these days princess, we need to guide you to the castle, king's orders" Steelbeak said and then pointed to the human, a griffon dressed in red robes motioning for him to step forward.
"This creature you brought needs to be searched and checked for possible diseases. We cannot have a epidemic because of a pet you brought with you" The griffon captain said, his silver armor giving of a clang as he stomped his front claw into the ground.
"We brought with us our bodyguard, thou will treat him as such and not as a common beast" The princess said with a frown.
"I'm sorry your highness, but King Guto has made it law that all new creatures will be examined. I am simply following orders" The red eyed griffon said and the human was prodded with the butt of a spear, lead towards the griffon in red.
"We want Guardian Sol back in full health, is that understood?" The alicorn told the griffins who nodded as the human went along with them, not feeling like he should take on fully armed guards.
The griffoness (as Nathaniel noted when he got closer to her) lead him towards one of the buildings in the harbor, the warehouse marked with a red cross. It was one of seven in the location they had all arrived in and it stood out with white walls and black roof while the others were only grey.
He was lead into the warehouse and frowned as he saw what the inside looked like, a large animal storage facility. There was cages stacked on each other everywhere with all sorts creatures inside them. The human could see a few wolves, apes and feline animals in some cages while monsters in others. So far he hoped they wouldn't try to poke him with a needle, this place looked as clean as a drug addicts outhouse.
"What exactly do you need from me?" He grumbled to the female griffon who looked at him in surprise before pointing to a clean corner where a metal table sat.
"Take of your clothes and sit down on that table" She told him and Nathaniel looked to the side and grumbled.
"Is that necessary? I'd rather not remove my clothes thank you very much" The young man said and the female shook her head.
"If you want even near that castle then you will do as I say, is that understood guardian ?" The red robed griffon asked and Nathaniel growled, but slipped out of his robes and armor, setting the folded pile of clothes on the table before he himself sat on it.
The human had decided to keep his underwear on, giving the vet(?) a glare as she brought out a few weird looking instrument. The things reminded him of normal doctors equipment, if it had been given a paint-job from the middle ages. There was a glowing blue rock that she put against his chest, his heartbeat sounding amplified from the rock.
She wrote down what she learnt from her observations and what the tools told her, like his heartbeat. She forced him to get into a harness by punching him (so much for not hurting him) and checked his weight by having him hang from an old school scale. Once she had written that down she asked him to stand by a lined wall so she could see how tall he was, noting that down as well.
When she pulled a rubber glove over her talons and pulled out a liquid which reminded him of slime Nathaniel just ran for the door trying to use his magic. But for some reason was he unable to cast a single spell, which meant he ended up decked to the floor with the Griffoness checking everything before letting him back on the table. The human felt defiled in more than one way. (How did they even have a rubber gloves here!? Wasn't this like the middle ages!?)
After that was he forced to drink a potion that tasted horribly which would make his glow belly glow if he carried any disease. Thankfully for the human he didn't carry anything, which meant the young man was not forced to drink anything to get rid of viruses or similar things. If anything he was surprised he didn't carry some disease from earth that could wipe out all of pony and griffon kind.
Well, he didn't carry anything dangerous she later shared with him. He had been carrying common diseases but nothing that really made it worth wasting potions on him. So once she had made sure he would not contaminate the city the red feathered griffon had his strength measured as well as cheek how heavy objects he could pick up with his magic. For some reason she seemed to decide when his magic worked, maybe there was some sort of machine in here?
"The magic in your body is different to a unicorns, it's more like the princesses alicorn magic but at the same time it's not? These readings are strange and doesn't give me much clearance on if you should enter or not" The vet said and eyed him with a bulbous eye.
"I will allow you into the empire's soil, but do anything out of line and we'll put you down like one of the apes we send to the slaughter house" The griffoness growled and backed off, letting Nathaniel get dressed.
The human could already tell that this week would not be the best one ever, having barely avoided getting a glowing rod shoved up his rectum. If this is how they treated the animals here then he wanted to disgusting himself from a common ape as soon as possible, he did not want to end up as lunch.
When the young man was lead out he saw that only Blaze and a few griffon warriors remained, watching him as he headed towards them with the two griffin scouts flanking him. The wolf had most likely stuck around for his master out of sheer loyalty while the princess headed up the trail to meet with the king as soon as possible. They only had a week after all, which spoke more about how long these talks would take rather than a narrow time constraint.
Once Nathaniel reunited with Blaze the wolf was overjoyed and licked his face as the warriors looked at the two with either disgust or mistrust, holding their weapons close. So they were perhaps even more aggressive than the guards back at the castle, lovely.
After the wolf was done celebrating the warriors lead them towards a path heading up into the mountains, grey spires and towers rising out of the rocky landscape with egg like shapes at the tops. Some of the towers they noticed as they walked the path up towards the mountain city had bird nest like qualities, acting as open watch towers to watch the sky and as a landing platform for griffins in the air.
The road towards Griffonstone was carved out of gold, that was no joke. The entire thing glowed in the sun and looked extremely expensive, most likely taking a few ton gold to start from the top to the bottom, why no one had dug up all the gold seemed to be because of heavily armored griffin guards that stood by the trail. So no one robbed it because of fear, made sense, why risk your life over gold that would be hard to carry away.
The warriors that guided him soon walked over a rather step part of the trail and Nathaniel followed only to be mesmerized by what he saw next, a city of towers. Griffonstone was truly an open city, the towers all having platforms for flyers on them and the ground having so many stairs the city became just a single maze.
He enjoyed how white the city was, the streets made out of white marble and the towers out of the same material. Whoever built this city deserved some place in legend, the white city sparkling in the grey snow covered mountains. Not many could tear their eyes away from the castle though, the building reminding him of a Greek temple. All statues in and outside the thing was made out of gold, same went with the panels for windows and the frame for the red gated guarding the inside og the castle.
The pillars and stairs outside the two red doors where clearly Greek, or whatever Greek was in this universe. The roof was more Nordic however, giving the castle a very strange feel of being sophisticated yet savage at the same time. Surrounded by towers it was clearly one of the most protected buildings in the city if not the most protected building in the city.
"You will adress King Guto with "your highness" and my "lord". Failure to do so will result in me or any other guard nearby giving you a beating beast, is that understood?" The head warrior that had been leading Nathaniel and Blaze up the path said and the human nodded.
"Just get me back to the princess I'm supposed to protect" He mumbled to the guard who scowled and walked towards the red gates of the castle.
"Why would the princess hire a stupid ape to guard here.." The griffon mumbled before opening the red gates with two heavily armored ponies standing guard, the two seemingly serving the Griffon King if the silver feather crest was to be believed.
It was good to see that the ponies and griffins got along well at least, they could both insult him now. With that though he entered the castle and once again was awestruck, every little surface covered in gold or having been gold plated. The only true things that wasn't gold was the white marble pillars, roof and floor. He could already see something similar to the stained glass windows back in Equestria here in the main hall, large banners.
The banners had been sown to show the victories of the Griffin Empire, showing battle after battle that they race had won against an assortment of different foes. The human was glad that they were allies with the two alicorn princess, the amount of blood depicted on different banners even made him a little uncomfortable. These were birds of prey and he had just walked into their lair without protection.
As Nathaniel walked down the long hallway he looked at each art of work displayed on the tall walls. Where there was no banners there was paintings of weapons, griffins wearing a crown or riches. Everything screamed that the economy here revolved around the large amount of gold the griffins seemed to mine, and countries who normally only had one resource to sell had poor populace. So where was the beggars and poor people? The city outside didn't seem to have any as he passed the streets.
Thinking about the new kingdom the human didn't realize that the guards had lead him to two big red doors that clashed with the white and gold of the palace. The the right and the left he could see long corridors leading into the palace, maybe he could just run away and find someone who could get this spell off him?
No, he couldn't run away. There was guards everywhere and Luna had promised him to have the spell removed after this political trip was over. He wanted to trust her, the words she spoke having sounded so sincere. But the young man was uncertain, would she keep her word? Did he have any choice but leave his fate in her hooves? Did it really matter?
Blaze growled as the two large red doors opened and Nathaniel looked upon a throne room, seeing Luna, Rose and Osiris stand by the king of this entire empire. The griffin's feathers were a light grey with his wings being black. The monarch was wearing a cloth wrapped around his body with a golden band around his neck, the band kept together with a golden pin bearing the crest of two wings.
The human stood there awkwardly for a while as all eyes were on him and the wolf, said wolf being very angry at anyone looking at him the wrong way. King Guto's golden eyes watched Nathaniel's green ones before giving a polite nod, settling down on his throne.
"I see you speak the truth princess of the sun, your new guardians are truly unique" The griffon said and smirked amusingly at the alicorn who gave the new arrival to the talks a nod.
"We art sure you will find Guardian Sol a good creature" She said and the human couldn't help but shy away from the new royals look, there was something hungry in those eyes.
"So far you have yet to tell me much of him, seeing how he is an unknown species" The griffon king said, his gruff voice still holding a hint of cleverness.
"We are not sure if Guardian Sol's background is important for these talks" The lunar monarch said as the human walked up to stand next to her, giving Rose a nod.
"This "human", as you said he was called, is a prime example on what we could accomplish if we experimented on the beasts of the woods with your magic dear Luna" Guto said with a small grin and jumped of his throne, walking up to the human and the princess.
"Strange magic, bound by a servant spell and eats meat. You found yourself quite the unusual bodyguard princess. If we were allowed to keep him then we could do wonders with his genes, just think what kind of offspring a specimen like this could produce!" The king of the griffins said with glee, sounding more like a mad scientist than a monarch.
Wait, did he just say he wanted to guy Nathaniel like he was some kind of animal? Fuck this guy, seriously. It wasn't enough with that air of authority that never left him but he wanted the young man as a slave? Fuck this king, he would be nothing but a pain in the ass wouldn't he?
"We art sorry to say that thou cannot purchase Nathaniel, he is not for sale to anypony" The alicorn said with a poker face as the griffon deflated slightly.
"Very well, let's discuss why you are really here" King Guto said and flew back to his elevated throne, sitting down on it and looking at the princess with curiosity.
So far was this king not very impressive. Yes he had this air around him that made anyone snap at attention whenever he was close, mostly due to the Idol Of Boreas sitting next to the throne on a golden pedestal. Guto had also forced him to go through a check up like he was at the vet and then wanted to buy the young man for breeding? With what!? He was the only fucking human here!
"Yes, let us begin" Luna said and pulled out a big map displaying the borders of Equestria and the Griffon Empire.
The two monarchs started to speak about things Nathaniel couldn't care less about and he looked to Rose who eyed the room with suspicion. The human couldn't blame her, this entire thing was so far uncomfortable and dull. Even if Luna and Guto had been speaking for like half a minute tops.
"What happened to your face?" The bat pony asked the taller being next to her, eyeing the bruise he had been given.
"I got a little wild during the examination, had to calm me down" He responded, mirroring what the red feathered griffoness had said to the guards outside.
"I knew we should have waited, the princess didn't even wanna start the talks without you but the guards were adamant to bring us here" The sanguine mare growled, keeping her voice down.
"Well they did treat me like an animal, with the difference of giving me a choice for the check up" He muttered as the Lunar Princess mentioned something about watch towers on small islands and pirates.
"If I see that griffon she'll regret hurting a guardian of the princess when ordered to not touch you" Rose growled and king Guto laughed at something Luna had told him.
"Just let it go, it's just a bruise and I doubt we have much power in this place" Nathaniel said and Rose grumbled.
"Princess Luna gave clear instructions on not hurting guardian Sol, that bruise will cause her more trouble than you know" Osiris said as he observed the discussion between Luna and Guto.
"We need to set an example if any griffon in this city will listen to our order. Luna made Nathaniel a guardian to keep an eye on him so he doesn't get hurt or hurt anyone, meaning she'll not be pleased" The bat pony said and turned to the princess as Luna pointed to a small island on the map.
"I don't enjoy the fact that the princess would trust this being, but hurting him is a direct retaliation against Luna's orders. I will not stand for anyone disrespecting the princess of the night" The golden furred stallion said with a huff.
Nathaniel ignored the fact that Osiris spoke about him like he wasn't right next to them and he met Luna's eyes for a brief moment, the alicorn looking at his cheek and frowning. So she did care, would that be enough to punish the griffon for hitting him? The young man hoped she would tell the king about the small indecent.
"Could all others leave the room for what we are about to speak about? I need some lone time with the princess to explain the problem we'll face with these constructions" King Guto said and every guard in the room, pony or griffon, looked uneasy upon hearing that.
The princess of the night looked thoughtful for a second before nodding, waving her hoof to send the guards outside. The human was new to these ponies and really didn't care if one of the guards hurt themselves, but Luna was one of the few ponies that had been kind to him, so leaving her in a room with this king made him feel a bit uneasy as well.
When they left the room (Osiris trying to desperately stay) they all saw how the dismissed griffon guards followed behind them, scowling at leaving their king alone. Why did it feel like these border talks had just gotten a bit more serious? Nathaniel could see Rose speaking with a guard about the talks only to get a shrug. That meant that for whatever reason they had been dismissed it had not been planned, so what were they speaking about in there?
Luna's POV
Once Nathaniel and the guards left the room could I only frown, why had been dismissed? So far had the talks been going rather well, my fellow monarch's idea of watchtowers and minor fortresses on islands to protect the Celestial Sea was a good idea. There was many islands out there that could be used for protection against pirates but to make the ground ready for something like a fortress would take time, which Guto seemed to have lots of.
"Why did you ask them to leave my lord? These talks do not need to be kept a secret" I told the griffon who looked at me with a small grin.
"I didn't ask them to leave to speak about reinforcing the sea, I asked them to leave so I could talk to you about your new guardian" Guto said and walked up to a table with a large map on it.
"I have three new guardians Guto, which one is it you're referring to?" I asked coldly, knowing full well who he was talking about.
"The human of course! I am truly impressed in how you had him bend the knee for you, that sort of raw magic is normally only found in your kind. So you having him as a slave is simply impressive princess" He said and stabbed a knife on a larger island near Griffonia.
"He is not my slave, I do not treat him like one" I growled back, this monarch had always had a way to push my buttons, almost like Discord.
"Maybe not, but my animal handler know what she saw in her finds. That is a servant spell, he does not have a choice in this princess" Guto said with a grin and I looked away in shame.
So the equipment they had was better these days, dammit. I had hoped they would not find out about the spell my sister placed upon him, it was not making us look any better than the Minotaurs or the changelings. The fact that this glorified chicken had dared to ask how much I would sell Nathaniel for was really making me angry.
"My sister placed it upon him as a precaution, as a ruler you know we cannot be too trusting of new creatures" I said, sitting down on a chair by the table.
"Yes, ever since the Discord incident have your sister doubled down on all security, including along the borders. The dark kingdom is getting worried again and the dragons are getting agitated with Equestria. So tell me how it is Luna, these talks are more than just securing our borders, you're here to make peace" The Griffon king said and looked over the Celestial Sea on the map.
"I will humor you. Yes this is more than just speaking of our borders, even if that is important. I need to show you that we are not here to start a war, my sister simply needs more control after what happened" I said and looked over the map, there was model of a bridge leading from the mainland to an island in the middle of the sea that looked new.
"I hold no worry over your nation princess, you are soft creatures who do not strike out in fury. It's the crystal empire that all the major players look to these days, that place has much potential to become a ruling nation in the north and hold monopoly on all crystal weapons" He said and I nodded slowly.
"So if we can leave my guardian and the crystal empire for a few seconds I'd like to talk about the watchtowers, why are they needed along the coast line? With the amount of ships we have guarding those waters it will not be necessary" I said firmly, not to keen on the idea of spreading out our forces that much.
"You need more protection against the lowlanders, they have stopped bothering the Dark Kingdom but they are now moving up north to our waters. This unified project could help us both snuff out those mutated freaks once and for all" Guto said with a another grin, pointing to the desert beyond the Dark Kingdom labeled "Unknown".
The lowlanders had shown up a few years ago, tribes of half-breeds and mutants having untied under a green and black flag and taken the dessert as their kingdom. The problem was that that dessert belonged to the Dark Kingdom and the Griffon Empire, meaning that this new nation was swiftly met military opposition.
I had only seen on lowlander in my life, and even then it had been in the dreamscape. They along with the Dark Kingdom's inhabitants knew how to mask their dreams from me and anyone that would try to enter their mind. I had been lucky to run across one of their children having a nightmare so intense he could not hid himself from me.
I had soothed his fears and given him a calmer dream before I was violently thrown out from his dreamscape, the colt having put up his mental shields again. But one thing that had made the colt stand out was the snake tail and poisonous fangs he had been carrying, marking him as one of the mutants.
"I see your point Lord Guto, but I will need to discuss this with Celestia before deciding on something. We have a week either way to speak about this, so we should be fine" I said and looked at the king who nodded slowly.
"Very well, you can either return to your ship or take the room I've prepared for you princess. We can discuss more during the dinner" Guto said with a smirk and flew back to his throne.
I gave a small bow and stood up, walking towards the two red doors with the Griffon King's eye starring at me. I was getting a bad feeling from our stay here but I was unsure to why, as Guto had been a loyal ally since the beginning. Yet his behavior today didn't really fit with what I had seen before, the normally formal and slow spoken Griffon replaced with someone less royal. Perhaps it was just stress, or maybe his ego had finally taken control.
King Guto's POV
As the mare left the room could I only stare at her flank as she closed the door behind her, saving the mental image for later. She knew nothing of the power I truly commanded, but with the idol and all noble houses behind me could I finally set my father's plan into motion.
The lowlanders were a perfect excuse for the increased military presence, the dirty creatures having actually started to attack ships up north. Yet they were not even close to the coastline, still only acting on the open sea. Luna didn't need to know that however, the alicorn to trustworthy for her own good.
With the idol's power I could simply make my lies seem like the truth, the princess own thoughts turning away from reasoning to trust. At times I found it almost to easy to lie, to keep up the facade of a calm king. But I was so close to my goal I didn't even need to keep acting anymore, I didn't need to fake a smile at the princesses or any monarch for that matter. I would soon have them bowing to me.
The idol's orb glowed a bright purple and my eyes did the same as I grinned, feeling my power grow. Soon the sister would be wearing collars with my crest, they would be my broodmares as their kingdom burned. I just needed a little more time and to get rid of this new creature, the idol whispered this to me as its golden glow filled the room.
This human, this "Guardian Sol" was something that complicated things. The readings Scarlet had given me on the being told me all I needed to know, he held great power, even if he was maybe new to magic. My guards had reported the Equestrian Arch mage's presence, which had always meant he was tutoring someone.
This Nathaniel was a inconvenience, but a possible ally. So far he seemed to be rather indifferent to the ponies, the only two he seemed to be at ease around was that sanguine and the lunar princess. The servant spell placed upon him had made him more angry it seemed, his eyes filled with annoyance and caution.
With the right words and with some false promises could the human be turned easily from his pony masters. But I do not have the time to fully manipulate the new creature, but with the idol could doubt and new trust be made. All I need was more time, then the idol would be pleased, and my empire would stand alone and mighty on Equus.
Nathaniel's POV
The human was awoken by a hipogryph dressed as a butler the next day. He was told that the date was January nineteenth and that it was nine in the morning. The now eighteen year old man grumbled a thank you to the butler before he got up and got dressed, pondering over the fact that he was celebrating his eighteenth birthday on another planet as a servant to a pony princess.
He had been given some change, there was no denying that. Nathaniel had asked for a new and better life, and to an extent he had been given this. Did the man still like the fact that he was a servant to some ponies and currently being talked about like some breeding stock? No, no he did not.
The king's comments had gotten to him, like he was viewed like some sort of animal by these creatures. It was ironic if that was the case, as back home these ponies would be wearing a saddle to be used for work or being used to give children lessons in riding.
While the dark haired man amused himself with imagining Celestia being used as a normal horse the butler told him to meet with the king, the griffon having summoned him. Nathaniel was not thrilled to hear this, the king having not made a good first impression. But he did not have much of a choice as the teen was meant to obey.
As the green eyed man left the room two guards escorted him down the hallways and towards the red doors leading into the throne room. When they had reached the two large doors the guards saluted and walked off, leaving the human alone outside the room.
Once the man had collected himself he opened the two doors and was met by the sight of King Guto dining by himself, sitting at one end of a long table. Unsure what he was supposed to do Nathaniel just walked over to the chair at the opposite end of the long table and sat down.
The food on the table was no small thing, King of the griffins having spent no expenses on it. There was meat of all kinds on the table and mixed in with it was the classical breakfast with pancakes and eggs. The human could feel his mouth water as he watched the amount of food stacked on the long table, tens of plates from him to Guto.
"You requested me your highness?" The man asked and clasped his hands together, eyeing the griffon chewing on some sort of bone.
"Ah yes! I wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday. I saw how it angered you and I would not like to start out a relationship with a guardian badly" The griffon smiled and a plate was given to the black haired man, filled with meat and other goodies.
The teen couldn't help but grin at the amount of meat he was given, his plate overflowing with the juicy good stuff. If there was one thing he would not let go of it was the meat. The human had survived for months thanks to meat and he would not become a vegan just because the princesses didn't eat meat, who would even agree to something like that without thinking?
"Well you're starting out strong your majesty" Nathaniel said and took a bite from one of the pieces of meat, it tasted like salmon.
"I would also gladly discuss your employment under princess Luna, how you came to become her bodyguard and all. It is a great honor, a even greater one to be given the name "Sol" from the solar princess" The king of Griffonia said with a grin.
The human stopped the fork heading for his mouth and put it down, thinking about his response. Did this king care enough to even help him? This griffon seemed to hold power but had he what Nathaniel would need to break free from these magical chains?
"I am not a willing servant my lord, I was brought to the princesses and made a slav.. servant to princess Luna" The green eyed man responded.
"Ah, so they have mistreated you I see. I am sorry to hear about things like this, it breaks my heart" The king said and took a bite from a fish.
"I just want to go back to the woods at the moment, I felt free in there. Sure I have a bed now but if I have to wear chains to have some comfort I will not take it" The human frowned and looked to the side in thought.
"There might be a few ways to break you free from this spell that holds you, but you will need a powerful mage to create those chains in the first place, and even more power to break them" Guto stated, Nathaniel happily taking in the information.
"I could maybe see if there is anyone in my empire who knows how to break those chains, after all I need to keep all my allies close. Helping you out will only increase the amount of friends my land has" The monarch said with a smile.
The man was surprised at the king's sudden change of character from the day before. This griffon had talked about him like Nathaniel was a common animal the day before but now Guto was offering him help with the servant spell? It was suspicious, but it might be true.
Yet Luna's promise still rang in his mind. By the end of this trip he would be freed from the spell, and so far she had done everything in her power to treat him with respect. If it turned out that she was a liar then he could always take the king's offer the next time they would be coming to Griffonstone.
"Thank you your majesty, but I already have someone who can free me. I simply need to wait" The human told the griffon who frowned for a second.
In a split second had the calm griffon disappeared, his eyes almost glowing as he looked at Nathaniel. The green eyed man didn't know why, but he felt the urge to bow before this creature, to submit and lay down his life if needed. The urge was clawing at his mind but he shrugged it off with what defiance he held in his bones. The man wished for freedom, not any kind of servitude.
"I am happy for what you have offered me today my lord, and if my.. friend fails then I will gladly take your proposal. I have to go, my liege is most likely expecting me before the talks continue" He said and walked away from the table, not looking back at the angry griffon who glared at him as he left the room.
Nathaniel was getting annoyed with Osiris and Blaze constantly annoying each other. The wolf had left a bloody head of a large squirrel on the stallion's bed during the night and it had resulted in a screaming pony and a laughing wolf (could normal wolfs laugh?..). When the raven haired teen had heard about the wolf's prank had he felt both amusement and disapproval.
The pony and wolf didn't like each other, that was clear, but if they were gonna constantly pester each other than it could turn violent again. Both of them were part of his squad now (who was their leader really? Luna? Rose seemed to call most of the shots) and that meant the green eyed man didn't want them to fight.
Osiris had later gotten his revenge on the wolf two hours after Nathaniel had been talking with king Guto, the stallion having rubbed cinnamon into the meat served to Blaze (how he had handled that but not a dead squirrel head was mind boggling for the human) and the poor wolf had been drinking for ten minutes straight before he calmed down.
It wasn't until Luna ordered the two to stop, or at least to stop while they were in Griffonstone, that the wolf and stallion called to a truce. Nathaniel knew that this would be a reoccurring event, the two never going to get over their introduction in the Everfree.
The three guardians, plus wolf, were now sitting by a table. With the rest of Luna's guards allowed into the throne room during the talks now had they all been dismissed. For some reason it was almost like Luna was cutting him some slack today, yet why she would do that was lost to the human.
Rose had pulled out a deck of cards and started to a game with Osiris they called high mare. The game made little to no sense for the green eyed man but for the two ponies it was as easy as breathing. A mare with a crown, which was named princess or defender depending on what game they were playing (he was picking up on a few things), was worth the most unless the lord protector card was given a boost by a crystal heart card? He had lost track of the rules Rose told him after two minutes and just focused on the expressions the two equines were making.
Rose being a bat pony always meant that whenever she nervously bit her lip one could see her fangs. Osiris often glanced at her for that obvious calling card and always played boldly whenever the sanguine allowed her blood suckers to show. So far the ponies had both put a bag of bits on the table which was passed around to whomever won the game.
After an hour of playing had Osiris both bags and a shit eating grin on his face as he played five cards which were all of unicorn battle mages. What this meant was lost to Nathaniel but the fact that Rose threw her cards at the table and hissed in anger was enough for him to understand that it was victory for the earth pony scout.
"Cough up more bits Rosey, brothel won't pay for itself" The golden furred stallion said with a grin and the mare growled before throwing him another bag of bits.
"You are a creep Osiris" Rose said and the stallion only grinned in response.
"So why did we get free time while the others are guarding the princess?" The man asked the two as he petted the wolf next to him.
"The princess reasons are her own, we are not supposed to question it" The earth pony said and Nathaniel rolled his eyes.
"It just seems weird, that's all" Nathaniel said and Rose nodded.
"I agree. Luna normally don't dismiss guardians without a reason. She said she was giving us some time of to enjoy Griffonstone but.. I just don't like it" She said and they all went quiet for a moment, thinking.
"Maybe we should do as she suggested, I mean, this is a very beautiful city after all" The dark haired man said and the other two guardians in the room shrugged before nodding.
"I guess we could, the princess did tell us to see the city and I need to convert some bits either way" Osiris said and jumped of the chair he was sitting on, heading for the door.
Rose, Blaze and Nathaniel followed the earth pony out from the room they had been staying in and soon they had left the castle and was walking around Griffonstone. The city that was mostly made of towers had a few markets the group passed through and they would walk past grounded houses where ponies lived.
The roads were covered in gold, similarly to the path leading up to the city, yet it seemed to not run as deep as the mountain road. It was probably less expensive with a shallow layer of gold instead of a deep one. Nathaniel and Rose watched the ponies, hippogryphs and griffins in the city walk around and mingle while Osiris converted some bits to geld beaks (as Luna had called the currency here).
The golden furred stallion kept a bit of distance to the human as they walked, which Nathaniel was used to by now, but it was still a bit annoying to find Osiris giving him a cautious look each time a child ran past laughing at something or when a old griffon tried to get past in the crowd surrounding the market district.
Yet as the day passed they all started to have a god time. Rose and Nathaniel "borrowed" some money from Osiris when he was not looking and bought a snake like creature on a stick. It was spicy and tasted horribly but the amount of laughter the two got out of seeing the faces one would do by biting into the damn thing was well worth the price for the thing (not that the scowling Osiris had agreed).
When the sun started to set had the guardians found a bar somewhere in the city. Nathaniel had let it slipped that he turned eighteen and after a few bags of money had been thrown to a griffon behind a desk had the man the most hard challenge he would ever face in front of his face, alcohol.
"I do not want to do this" The human said firmly to the grinning sanguine and smirking stallion.
"Kid, you are now of legal drinking age and that means you are gonna go back to your room piss drunk and happy that you can do it again" Osiris said and the wolf slowly rose up from the floor to stand next to the ponies, a grin on its face.
Well that was a terrifying union of opposing personalities. Even the fucking wolf wanted him to stumble back and puke his guts out. So far this was the most interesting birthday he had ever had, and the only birthday party he had ever really had. Was it depressing or amusing that he was celebrating it with a bunch of animals?
"I can drink a little, but I am not drinking that " The man said and pointed to the red bottle on the table.
It had been bought by the two grinning ponies and brought to the booth the four were using in the small bar. It had a red colour and a what looked like a succubus mare on it's label. It was named liquid courage (even if he was certain that is what the kind of courage one needed to ask someone out rather than the kind one needed to fight). So far it was not making him feel very encouraged to drink it.
Nathaniel had never even touched wine back home, the smell alone being enough to keep him away. But now the ponies (and wolf) wanted him to drink from a bottle which just seemed to spell death and destruction, or at least it did to him. Yet even with that in mind he still took the glass given to him by Rose.
"It gets easier after the first glass" She said and pressed the bottle to her lips and tilted her head back, chugging down a large portion of the bottles content.
From the way Osiris looked at the bat pony with disbelief could Nathaniel only think that she had done a feat worthy of a trophy. So how bad could this drink be? He could just take a small sip and hope that he would not die from it. So with a deep breath a quelled his fears and pressed the glass to his lips, swallowing down the content of the glass. That had been a bit more than a sip.
For the first second he felt nothing, confusing him. But the burning that appeared in his lungs and throat made him cough badly. It was like he was being set on fire and he slammed his fist into the wooden table that was between him and his three companions. His eyes teared up and Nathaniel tried to desperately gulp down air that the drink seemed to turn to ash.
Once the burning soften and the man could finally breath again was his head woozy. He had had a glass of the stuff, a small one mind you, and he was already feeling like he had raided his father's wine-cellar, if the old man had one in the first place. The human was uncertain, his memory was becoming fuzzy.
"Holy Faust, he didn't pass out from it! I have to say kid, you have gained some respect from me" The scout said and Nathaniel groaned in response, making Rose giggle before having a hiccup.
"I wanna die so badlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" The human slurred as the burning didn't go away, leaving him hot and his mouth filled with the taste of ash.
"Maybe we should have started with ale or something, he's already drunk from big red" The stallion said and the mare shrugged.
"Eh, he'll be fine! Natey, take another one! It'll make it feel better!" She said and gave him another glass, the human swallowing it quickly only to cough again, though not for as long this time.
"Will he be able to walk once we're through with him?" Osiris asked and Rose grinned.
"Nope!" She said cheerfully.
Life was agony, could someone please just end it all? Nathaniel was currently clinging to a bucket that held a lot of alcohol his body had decided to not keep, meaning he felt empty as well as sick. Why had he taken that first glass? It had just went downhill from there and he couldn't feel his left ear. Why couldn't he feel his fucking left ear!?
The human sighed and looked around his room, the bed a mess after he had been tossing and turning trying to fall asleep while the nauseous feeling wouldn't leave him. For some reason had his mind decided to come back to him after Rose and Osiris had dragged him back from the bar, making him feel every ounce of pain the alcohol had brought him.
The sudden knock on his door just made him groan and he stood up, placing the bucket in the bathroom and opening the door slowly. The sight of princess Luna giving him an amused smile made him do a double take and the man backed off, the alicorn walking into the room.
"I see that you spent your birthday eating and drinking. You remind me of Tia" The princess of the night giggled and walked to the balcony, Nathaniel following behind with a stumble or two.
"Why are you here?.. Or a better question, how did you know it was my birthday?" He asked and she looked up at the midnight stars and smiled.
"From what you have told me your parents didn't sound like the type to give you a good birthday, so I gave you and the closets things you have to friends the day off to celebrate it. While I had expected you to ask for more festivities I understand that finally being able to drink was alluring" The blue furred mare said with a smile and the green eyed teen shook his head.
"I was forced there by those two deviants" He huffed and she just giggled.
"Either way, I wanted to give you a birthday gift. It's one I do not give often nor lightly but as a sign of trust and that I will keep my promise I am giving you a constellation" She said and Nathaniel's mind broke for a second.
"What?.. How can you even?.. I am grateful! Extremely grateful! I've never received a true gift on my birthday before, but how?" The human asked and Luna smiled, lighting up her horn as the the stars across the sky blinked in response.
He watched in awe as a dark patch of the sky started to draw stars to it and form toghter to create a shape. It was the mark on his hand that she was forming in the sky! Using freaking stars! Screw moving the sun, Luna was moving stars light years away! How powerful was she? Was this alicorn a true goddess? Did he need to bow? Nathaniel felt more than honored to have his mark in the sky.
"I can see your disbelief my young friend, but I assure you, this is a gift from me to you" The princess said and the man bowed deeply.
"Thank you for this princess! I.. I don't know what I could do to repay you" He started and she raised a hoof to silence him.
"This is your gift from me, this is your birthday. Do not bow and don't call me princess on this day, you deserve as much" Luna said and the dark haired man slowly rose, looking at her with a small smile.
"So tell me, have you ever tried Moonshine?" The mare asked with a grin and the human's eyes widened.
Celestia's POV '
I looked up at the sky in awe as a new constellation was born upon my sisters midnight sky. Yet that awe turned to anger and disbelief rather quickly as the stars took the shape of the creature's mark. So what had he done to earn this? One of the greatest honors any creature on our planet could receive had just been given to him. When they returned I would have to ask Luna why that was up there along with our mother's cuite mark and our fathers eye.
I sighed and looked down on the garden around me, the snow crunching under my hooves as I walked among the protected trees. I knew that the snow was most likely removed from Griffonstone, meaning Luna and her guards didn't have to freeze because of the mountains being so high up in the sky.
I walked up to the only statue in the garden which had a spell of warmth around it. I wondered if it did anything for him, if he could even feel anything as a statue. But I had placed it upon him either way, not wanting him to suffer. I was sure he was still alive, that this statue was a mere shell keeping him in place. I had to believe so, believe that he was still alive in there, if I didn't my heart would shatter.
The sad sigh that escaped my lips made me look upon the laughing face of Discord, his expression of amusement forever frozen on his face. He would probably have wanted that, to have his last expression being that of him laughing at something he found silly. I hoped he was asleep, that he was not awake in there, the mere thought forced a sob out of me.
I had to move away from the statue before I broke down crying, I couldn't show weakness these days. I wasn't like Luna, I couldn't simply travel with companions and work it all out on a road. She had gotten back her smile, that sweet smile and laughter that always brought peace to my mind. I have to make sure that nothing ever happened to her, meaning that Nathaniel had to be watched, she was always way to trusting.
"Everything he will touch, will burn" A voice filled with dark laughter called out over the gardens and I spun around, my breath hitched in my throat.
That had been his voice, that had been his laughter. I looked to the statue standing in the middle of the garden, fear flowing through my veins as I slowly backed away and ran into the castle, I needed to write a letter to Luna immediately. His warning had been more than enough to trigger all my fears about the human again, making me hyperventilate thinking that she was alone with him so close.
Star Swirl was with her and so was her two other guardians, but even with that I couldn't help but worry for my little sister's safety. Discord had somehow said something, through the thick magical stone that bound him, and it had been enough to make me fear for my entire country once more.
I was not getting much sleep tonight, was I?
Sombra's POV
I smiled upon the black crystals that covered everything in the room, reaching up the walls to cover the ceiling. I had spent a lot of time on making these crystals grow strong and hard. The maid mare in the corner of the room was panting and curled up into a ball, her tail now more that of a succubus with a heart shaped tip.
The spells I had used to change her had been draining but still informative, as I know knew how to change the biology of those around me. The two ram horns on her head and her yellow eyes stuck out more than her now black mane (dyeing it had been easy) and her now permanent red coat. With my transformation had her cutie mark changed, now being a pink heart with a book in it's middle.
It was funny knowing how much power I held over her, the black crystal collar around her neck making me lick my lips. Her rump had grown to accommodate her new half breed body and her wings had yet to respond to my spells, leaving them a normal red pegasus wing. Perhaps I should offer her deserts, as normal food wouldn't sustain her for very long.
I bit down on her ear and she whimpered, covering away from me. It was cute that she still thought there was anywhere to hide from me in this room. She was my pet and my Guinea pig, the pony that I could use to see what the corruption would do to living creatures.
She gave of a soft whine as I let my hoof slide down her flank, grinning at Silver Page as she whimpered. I was interrupted by a knock on the door to the study room, making me growl. I stood up and the mare looked at the door hopefully, getting up only to be frozen in fear as crystal ring formed around her muzzle to keep her quiet. Her hooves were soon stuck to the floor as well, crystal forming around them to keep her in place.
Drawing upon my new power I let my now dark grey mane and grey fur regain their original red and black colour, using a powerful illusion spell to hide my new appearance. The room filled with corruption was hidden by a illusion spell as well, regaining its pinkish and red colour to hide what I had been doing, for now.
I opened the door and looked at my son, Crystal Sword looking at me in concern. Was my illusion strong enough for him to not notice it? Of course it was, I was more powerful than he could ever dream of becoming, more powerful than his mother had ever been.
"Father, are you ok? You haven't come out from this room in over three days, you have barely eaten anything. I think you need to come outside for a bit, maybe enjoy the city? If we're lucky maybe we can find a nice mare along the way" Crystal smirked and I couldn't help but see a little bit of myself in him, it was a shame it had gone to waste.
"I am not done with my research, but I am close. With a day or two I should know how to finally keep the realm safe" I told the unicorn in front of me who nodded.
"Very well, I just want you to find a new mate father. Ever since mom passed and Discord was put in stone have you acted so coldly. I think it's time we finally move on, that we let her go and allow her to find rest" My son said with a small smile.
He had always been a fool, but to suggest any mare could even come close to high queen Crystelia when she had been alive was ludicrous. I was not gonna replace the goddess of darkness with some mere mortal unicorn who could lift her rump just to get a child with high status.
"I will move on when I'm ready, until then I will be protecting my kingdom" I said and walked back inside the room, Crystal's face turning from hopefulness to confusion and caution.
"There is corruption in this room father, you are careful right? If you allow it to touch your mind it'll warp every thought you have ever had. It'll turn what was once good intentions into corrupt and hate filled wishes for lust and conquest" The crystal king said and I could only roll my eyes, my head was completely clear and I had still the same goal as I have always held, to protect my kingdom.
Wait, had that always been the goal? My mind was a bit fuzzy for some reason, but I was sure it was just from focusing on keeping up so many illusion spells at once. I hoped my son would just leave soon, I had been busy with a mare and intended to test out just how fertile a lust demon was.
"I know my son, I am always careful. Trust me, like you always have and should" I said with a fake smile, my son smiling back at me.
"I will father, just.. come out to the garden later? I built a shrine for mother a few months ago I'd like for you to witness" He said and moved out the room, smiling slightly at me.
"..we'll see" I responded simply and closed the door, waiting for the sound of Crystal walking away.
"Now then~" I purred as all the illusions in the room dropped, reliving a crying and afraid Silver Page.
"Let us see how many foals a demon whorse can bear~" I grinned and the currently gagged mare could only cry in despair and fear.
King Guto's POV
I looked up at the midnight sky and I felt a cold fury grip my heart as I saw the human's mark appear on the sky. So the princess thought that beast was worthy the honor of forever being a part of Equus sky? I could feel the Idol humming in annoyance at my failure to turn the new being from the princess, this gift most likely softening him up to trust that damn alicorn.
"This makes my plan even harder, why did that annoying ape have to come here at all" I growled out as the Idol's melody played to soothe me.
"I need more time, the towers must be built to complete the snare. They must have noticed our fleet was nowhere near the capital, and I cannot have them realize what is happening until it is to late" I told the key to my victory, its pearl glowing softly as I felt its power fill me.
"You're right, why does one human matter. Powerful or not, he will bow or die like the rest of that pathetic kingdom" I sneered and the Idol hummed in agreement as I grinned at the new constellation in the sky.
"I hope you enjoy your time as a servant Guardian Sol, because the next time I see you you'll be nothing more but a lowly slave" I said with a laugh, the Idol Of Boreas increasing its glow as my laughter continued.
Nathaniel's POV
The rest of the week passed quickly. The human was busy for most of the time with standing around and occasionally glancing at Luna as the talks went on and the cost and height for towers and fortresses were made up between the two countries. Apparently would the defensive measures have both pony and griffon soldiers within them, another sign of trust between the two nations.
It was all rather boring as after his birthday had the man been close to Luna almost all of the hours during the day and night. He wasn't complaining, the princess always managing to lighten his mood ever since she had made him pass out from two bottles of Moonshine (how was he even alive?).
The thing that had been the most interesting was the griffon captain that had meet them at the start of their stay had been giving Nathaniel some lore on the griffon's rise to power. The white feathered griffon had spoken about great battles between the griffin tribes that had threatened the races survival two hundred years prior. The only reason the tribes had in the end united was thanks to the first Griffon King, Grover, who had used the Idol Of Boreas to unite them all.
From what the dark haired teen had gathered was the families that once lead the tribes now the noble houses that ruled under the king. There was twenty of them but only six of them had any real power in the land while the others simply had a fancy title and owned land.
While he found the griffins history interesting, they had been in so many civil wars it was considered abnormal if there wasn't an uprising every five years or so. The art of battle had been integrated into the griffins culture for a long time, something he had noticed as there was duels every day to settle disputes or to honor some god the winged creatures worshiped.
In Nathaniel's search for knowledge about the griffins had the human discovered that King Guto had heirs, yet not one of them had been with a griffon or pony (as ponies could reach noble statues in the Griffon Empire if they proved themselves) which meant they were all considered bastards, a possible maybe if all other options ran out when it came to choosing a new king.
Yet with all the information that he could gather it impossible for the man to learn all the lore of the griffins in one week, meaning the day they left the castle with King Guto waving them goodbye had the human still very limited knowledge of this other race. The man was so caught up in his new knowledge and the fact that Star Swirl had given him a new lesson in how to cast a shield spell that he never saw the cold glare the griffon king gave him as they left the city of Griffonstone.
When they walked down the golden path and saw their ship almost glow in the sun could Nathaniel only feel a bit at peace. After Luna's gift and his two fellow guardians joining him for his first drink was he feeling a bit more secure around them. Sure, the other ponies still gave him glares but the human started to get used to it, he had a group he could fall back on now if things got hard.
Was he still unhappy with the spell that bound him to servitude? Yes, it still pissed him off and just thinking about the judgmental tone Celestia had spoken with made his blood boil. But Luna would keep her promise, he just knew it. Nathaniel just had to keep her safe during these weeks to come. How hard could it be? They were just gonna speak about borders and things like that.
Yet, when they boarded the ship and took off from the harbor couldn't the man feel like there was something wrong. It was like they were missing something crucial and no one could put their mind to what it could possibly be. Rose was happily petting Blaze as the wind picked up and carried them out to the sea, but Osiris looked back at the harbor that grew smaller and smaller with the same expression. Whatever they had missed, it had to be important, but as they were already leaving the country there was nothing they could do but hope that they would return to the two sisters castle by the end of Mars.
Author's Note
Oh my fuc*ing god this chapter is 11k words someone please help me
Ok but in all seriousness this is the longest chapter I have ever written and I still feel like there are things I want to add to it, but it is already too long, so I'll visit those plot points in the future. Thank you for reading this long chapter and I hope you're having a great day
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Chapter Nine: The angel and Zebrikan traditions
Nathaniel sat in nothing but a pair of thin grey pants, mediating as the sun slowly rose in the east. The Tipi he had been given protected him from the sun during the day, but the man had opened the flaps to look at the sunrise. He may dislike Celestia but seeing her rising sun brought a small smile to his lips, he had always found it beautiful.
The brown Tipi was very dull on the inside, having only a piece of large cloth to sleep on and a small pile of Nathaniel's equipment next to his "bed". The sword Luna had given him was close by, ready to be picked up if any trouble arose in the early morning of the Zebrikian capital.
Yet so far had the three days the group of ponies and human had spent in the city of Mji been very calm. The princess and the tribes leader had started the talks almost immediately when the "Golden Stallion" arrived on the shore of the desert nation. The four hours it took to get from the ship to the city had been suffocating for all of them, even Luna looking ready to pass out by the time they arrived.
They had been greeted with water and a feast worthy of a king, or at least that is what the tribes leader's daughter had said. The bowls they had been given had contained bugs and other disgusting things that had at first made Nathaniel gag and put the bowl away, the smell getting to the tired human.
The leader had only laughed at his weak stomach (even if he only felt it was better if he was not poisoned their first day in a new nation) while the other zebras had been mumbling something, most likely that the man had disrespected their traditions by not eating the bowl of crushed bugs.
They had been given real food eventually, much to the happiness of Nathaniel and Rose as they were offered well cooked meat with some sauce that made it taste heavenly. The earth pony scout had teased him after their dinner with the Zebras that he couldn't stomach a little bugs, the human flipping of the pony even if Osiris hadn't understood what it had meant.
The first day went pretty good for Nathaniel, or at least he thought so. Luna informed him on some signs of respect he was meant to show the tribes leader ans his daughter. Bow when a conversation started and finished, refer to the elders with "Lord", don't use magic inside any of the Tipis, do not turn away offered food (he had already broken that one), always wear the colours painted on his body and never ever draw a sword inside the peaceful territory.
Some of the things the alicorn had told him that was more signs of respect than laws made him question the sanity of the zebra leaders of old. You were not allowed to sleep during Mondays as it was meant to be used for worship (what gods the zebras followed were so far kept from him), except those who desperately needed it like the old and sick. Another strange one was that one could show respect through ritual combat, as it was seen as a grand event to be challenged.
So far was the zebras very much like what he had expected, a tribal people with strange customs and traditions. Yet even if the mares and stallions spoke in rhyme when Luna was near they easily slipped into common tongue whenever they did not have to show respect. The only ones that continuously spoke in rhyme was the head priest and his shamans. something that the human found annoying really quickly.
The way the royalty worked here was bit weird however. There was one almighty leader of all who held the title as king, but each tribe themselves had a leader that worked under the zebra king who were also allowed to call themselves as kings, even if they only held a fraction of the power as the tribes leader did. But the reason they were also kings was to quickly get a new leader in case the king had no heir of age. So the title of king was used less in this country, as tribes leader showed everyone exactly what power the great zebra king held.
Nathaniel knew that by meditating and "touching" his surroundings he was breaking the rule that banned magic from being used inside one of the tents. The law had been made after some magical accident two hundred years prior, which set the entire city on fire. Every building and tent in the zebra territory had been ablaze because of a spell gone wrong. But Nathaniel had nothing to worry about, feeling his surroundings wasn't gonna cause fires.
The first thing he took notice of was himself. The lines of paint that had been drawn over his body was glowing with magical power, similarly to the runes Star Swirl used to enchant things with. The largest difference between the two was that these seemed to "override" the word that described him, it went from cautious to friend. So it was a sign that he was welcomed here, that was good at least.
The second thing the human noted as he let his mind "wander" through the capital was that each house and tipi glowed a different colour depending on which tribe owned that particular side of the city. The tribes leader had said his own tribe, the Malwaks, had blue in all of their designs and that seemed to stretch to the magical plane as well, the tent the human currently taking up residence in glowing a light azure.
The third thing the man noticed was that each Zebra seemed to glow the same colour as their tribe, making him wonder if magic itself knew who you would become before birth. They must be something special if they could glow the very colour of the tribe they belonged to.
He didn't have time to muse about more things before the human felt a firm grip around his ear and Nathaniel was pulled up onto his feet and out onto the street. The green eyed teen looked into the angry face of Star Swirl as he opened his eyes, the mark on his hand stopping its glow.
"Didn't Luna teach you about their customs boy!? No magic inside the tipis or the buildings!" The older stallion hissed to him and looked around, the zebras giving them looks before going on about their day.
"It won't hurt anyone, so why is it a problem?" Nathaniel said and yanked himself free from the unicorn's magical grip, his magic teacher huffing.
"You do not wanna be disrespectful to your superiors and elders. The zebras might be the largest progressing country in the known world but break their traditions and they'll happily skewer you" Star Swirl muttered before sighing.
"I am already in servitude to Celestia and bound to Luna, what could they even do to to me for breaking those rules? They can't injure me without disrespecting the lunar princess" He said and the wizard who wacked him across the head using his left front hoof.
"As a guardian you represent Luna and Equestria! Your actions are political now Nathaniel!" Star Swirl said and the man thought about what that truly meant.
So he couldn't even act annoyed at his situation anymore? Was he bound to serve both in spirit and body? The idea of loosing the little freedom he had, which mostly consisted of him expressing amusement or displeasure of whatever Luna dragged him to, made him feel trapped. Would he have to give up a part of who he was beyond the servitude? Would he have to keep all his emotions just bottled up.
Star Swirl seemed to recognize the look of horror crossing the human's face and he pulled Nathaniel away from the streets and into a larger tipi. The insides of the cone shaped tent was covered in books and a table filled with potion flasks stood in the middle of the tipi.
"I know what is going through your head, and it is not pleasant. But you must understand that all your actions will reflect on the one you're supposed to protect and the kingdom she governs" The old stallion said and the man could only nod.
"So, I am a slave in all but word then? I am not allowed to leave, I cannot speak my mind and I will only be fed as long as you deem me worthy of it" Nathaniel said and sat down, contemplating his current situation.
"Are you mad? You are no slave student of mine! Yes you have a spell like that placed upon you but when we return it will be removed. Luna have treated you with respect and so have I along with your fellow guardians. I know how you feel and how this situation looks Nathaniel, but you cannot give up hope just like that" Star Swirl said and pulled the dark haired teen to his feet.
"I guess you're right about you four treating me with respect and kindness at least" He said after a minute and the wizard nodded with a small smile.
"I am glad you can see some light in the situation you were thrown into. If I had to decide I would already release you, but Celestia will always prioritize Equestria before any creature. If she believes that you are truly evil then she would never let go of that spell to keep her subjects safe, but with all of us vouching for you there shouldn't be a problem" The grey furred stallion said before stroking his beard.
"I think it's time we had another lesson, so sit down and watch me demonstrate a combat spell" Star Swirl said and before Nathaniel could question the stallion for breaking the no magic rule were they gone in a flash of light.
The feeling passing through Nathaniel's body as he appeared on the barren field made him remember the magic that had taken him from earth. The only true difference was that the teleportation wasn't as powerful this time, as the human didn't pass out from the spell. He felt a bit sick though.
The man stood up from his sitting position and overlooked the place around them, seeing the round zebra capital far far in the distance. The wizard had transported them quite far away for this lesson, if that was a good or bad thing was unclear for the teen.
"Out here is there no law against the usage of magic nor any creature that could be hurt" Star Swirl said and took of his hat.
Nathaniel looked around at the dead grass all around them and the few trees that still lived in the heat of the sun. There was only rocks out here and creatures that would most likely happily eat them for lunch. There was miles upon miles of barren soil around them, only the city and the small river next to it standing out in the landscape.
"So what is this spell you're gonna teach me?" The man asked only for his world to become a bright white flash and a ringing starting in his ears.
There was the sensation of something hitting his legs and suddenly was the green eyed man on the floor, groaning in pain. He didn't know flash-bangs were a thing in this low tech society, nor that the old stallion had grenades on him. As he got up was all he could see a small smirk on his teachers muzzle, a white aurora surrounding his horn.
"Was that a spell? How didn't that freaking blind you!?" He asked the stallion who chuckled.
"The caster is immune to the effects of the spell, something I fixed after the spell proved rather useless in combat without it. If you blind yourself and your allies then along with the enemy then it's easier to take you out" The long bearded pony said and the human nodded.
"Can you teach me this spell then?" Nathaniel asked and Star Swirl nodded.
"Of course! Why would I otherwise bring you out here?" The wizard asked before closing his eyes.
"To cast this spell efficiently you need to focus on it without any distractions, you need discipline and good command over your feelings" The man's magic teacher said before letting out another flash, this one not blinding Nathaniel for some reason.
"When you use the flash spell you need to focus on a pure feeling, like love or happiness. You use these emotions to power the spell and guide your mana" The stallion said and the human nodded, understanding somewhat.
"Another way to see it is to attach actions and emotions to a word, this is how spoken spells work. You must work it up in your mind what the word means and then let your mana take that word's form" The wizard continued and levitated a scroll to the human.
"What's on it?" Nathaniel asked and opened it, two words written in thick black lines at the top with sentences underneath it.
Solaris mico
The spell that lights up the sky like the coming dawn, the spell that blinds those who stand against you. Think of how your mana must form light, and how that very light wants to join its sister in the sky. Allow the light to return by sending it into the sky, creating a flash so strong it will dull all senses
The spell itself seemed simple enough, but so did hunting on paper and Nathaniel had the scars to prove it wasn't easy. Yet with the visuals suggested by the scroll he could work out the spell in his mind, the human's mana would do the rest. Or at least he hoped it would follow him mind like Star Swirl said it did.
"Solaris mico" The man said and nothing happened.
"Try again, you must see the flash, feel it like the rays from our beloved sun" His magic teacher said and the man nodded before trying again.
The teen saw in his mind as his mana became light, how the light escaped as a beam to the sun, how that light was as bright as the fiery ball in the sky and how it made all bow before its glory. With that Nathaniel spoke the words, and the world around him lit up, even if it only lasted a fraction of how long Star Swirl's Solaris mico had was it still enough to make the senior mage across from him to stumble.
"Good! You learn quickly, but then again so do all eager youths who wish to prove themselves" The wizard mused.
"It feels weird to look into something that bright and not have it blind you" Nathaniel said and looked at the mark glowing on his right hand.
"But then again, magic is truly amazing, true freedom of creation and destruction" The human said and the pony gave him a small smile.
"I do enjoy to find someone who can find such fondness for magic" Star Swirl said and trotted over to his student who smiled.
"Where I come from there is no true magic, there is illusions and fiction but no true power one can wield" Guardian Sol said and grinned as his mark glowed more brightly.
"As far as I know there is no creature upon our planet who does not carry some kind of mana in their body. If the place you claim to come from have no magic then I feel respect for your kind, not many could survive without magic" The old stallion said and looked back towards the city in the distance.
"I thank you for showing me some trust like Luna and Rose. I know that it can't be easy to defy Celestia's opinion on something" Nathaniel grumbled and the stallion scoffed.
"Hardly, I have trained those royals since they were given to my care by Faust herself. Which is why I cannot help but feel guilt for each mistake they make. Maybe if I had trained them in healing magic wouldn't that mare died in front of Luna, maybe if I had prepared those three for what the cruel world of politics could do to you wouldn't we had lost.." The pony said, trailing off as a distant look filled his eyes.
"I have heard Celestia's and Luna's brother being mentioned many times, what happened to him? If you don't mind me asking" The teen asked the wizard who took a deep breath.
"That is a tale for another day, when my heart aches less and my mind can let go" Nathaniel's magic instructor said and lit up his horn.
"Let us return, sleep and relax for the rest of the day. You'll need it for tomorrow" Star Swirl the bearded said as they were gone in a flash of light, today's lesson concluded.
"So humans don't herd? What do you do when there is to many of either sex then?" Rose asked Nathaniel as they sat around a table painted in pinks, yellows and greens.
"We don't have it like you guys, we're pretty much split perfectly in half. There is one man for every woman, or at least I think it was something like that, give or take a few percents" The green eyed man said and Rose looked at him with interest.
"So do your kind have any special abilities? You said they don't have magic but they must have something to survive your world" The sanguine mare said and he nodded.
"We had our minds, our brains. We came up with inventions to survive and make life easier for us, technology became our magic so to speak" The human guardian said and the bat-pony stood up as a large zebra entered the large tipi they were currently in.
The larger tent had been given to them as a meeting hall, all the guardians and guards could meet up and drink in the tent without bothering the local populace. So far it had proved to be a good idea as Blaze had decided to nap on a drunken Osiris who had been running around screaming something about "Good looking dragons" before passing out cold.
With one guardian and mascot sleeping on the floor along with the drunken laughs of the guards in the tent made the scene look a little too casual for defenders of the realm. Or at least that was assumed as the tribes leader, bearing the rank of king in all other circumstances, had walked into the tipi flanked by two guards.
Nathaniel tried to bow, not wanting to piss of Luna. But after slamming his forehead into the table he simply looked at the tribes leader who gave him an amused look. Rose was having troubles at not laughing at the human's hasty mistake, the teen having slammed his head into the table as he was sitting down.
"Your highness, what gives us this honor?" A guard (who wasn't drunk, go figure) asked the zebra leader.
"I would like to speak with guardian Sol, me and my kin have something to tell him" The king said and Nathaniel got up from the floor, giving Rose a confused look she returned before he was led away from the larger tent reserved for the guards.
As the man followed the pink eyed zebra and his two guards, both holding what looked like a mix between a spear and an axe in their hooves, to the largest building in the round city. The temple reminded him of old Greece, the columns holding up the hanging roof before one could see the walls and openings behind the pillars leading into the temple. This was were they worshiped their gods, and considering how many plants he could see grown around the temple they made potions in there as well.
"Welcome to the temple of Cynia" The zebra stallion said and the two guards that had followed them walked off, leaving Nathaniel alone with their king.
"So why did you bring me here? I assume that the princess have told you about me" The human said and the king nodded, looking over him before settling on his right hand.
"Luna of the everlasting night told me many things about you Lord Sol, one of those being that mark you carry" The stallion said to the dark haired man who looked confused.
"Let me start from the beginning so you will understand why that particular mark upon your hand is important" The zebra said and walked into the temple, the man following him.
The insides of the temple were filled with cauldrons, books and statues of creatures Nathaniel could only describe as demon and nature ponies. The statues were everywhere, hanging like gargoyles from the ceiling, placed upon pedestals around the large temple room, carved out of walls and wore as necklaces and such. Many of the ponies (or maybe they were zebras?) had parts of them replaced with an element of demonic looking appendage, only one statue standing out among them, one of Faust herself.
"All of our gods, both keepers of light and darkness" His new guide said and the human nodded.
The statue of Faust was in the middle of the room and was the largest piece of art in the building, offerings of food and gold placed at the hooves of the stone sculpture to appease the now dead goddess. There were offerings at all hooves of the god statues, even the gargoyle like statues had gold pendants hanging around their necks.
He was about to ask the king about for what reason they were in the grand temple when the teen spotted something carved into one of the walls, a story of an entire race. Nathaniel walked up to it and looked at the depiction of a gate of fire, a zebra holding a sword in his mouth as a demonic looking pony stood back to back with him, growling at an army of black shapes.
"Our first grand leader, Tirnum, standing with Korshek as they hold back the army of darkness" The king said and smiled at the depiction.
"So you have demons here? I know you had a place called the dark kingdom but I didn't think there was any actual demonic creatures in this land" The man said and zebra nodded.
"They were once many, but these days you're lucky to come across one, blessed if it tries to help you" The leader said and looked to the next carving, one of Faust and many other figures (some of the statues) standing in a circle around the two figures from the first carving.
"The moment our gods and goddesses decided to give our first king Tirnum this land to rule over and allow Korshek to join them in their eternal glory of balancing the universe. The moment our kind were blessed by the gods" The king of all zebras said with a proud smile.
The next carving was stranger, depicting a sky broken like glass and a world on fire. The destruction shown on the carving had been coloured to give as much life as possible to the image, making a feeling of dread pass through Nathaniel's body as he looked upon it. What was it showing?
"The day the sky broke and brought down the mountain Lor upon the world, leaving our land in ruins for many generations" Was the only explanation the human was given before the zebra focused on the next carving.
The new image showed a zebra dragging a piece of metal before morphing into that same zebra melting the metal with the help of a black dragon. What seemed to be the most confusing part of the image was how easily the zebra was depicted lifting the metal into the fire of the dragons mouth, shouldn't that thing be extremely heavy?
"Ah, my great grandfather Orh getting help from the dragon lord Valkyrie to make the first great weapon out of sky metal" The king said and the green eyed man felt some confusion.
"Sky metal, or caelum metallum as your mages wants to call it, is a metal that appeared on our planet after the mountain named Lor descended upon us all. Even if one can find it in all places around the world is very rare and the largest amount can only be found here in Zebrikia" The zebra said and the dark haired teen nodded slowly.
"Ah here is my namesake and grandfather Fortem, seeing goddess Faust before her mortal death to be shown a vision. This is the reason I brought you here Guardian Sol" King Fortem said and pointed to the last carving.
The last image carved into the temple wall depicted Faust laying in a bed holding a zebra's hoof, her horn glowing as she conjured up a mark for the stallion to see, his mark, the one placed upon his hand. Seeing this on the image made Nathaniel freeze, looking at the carving in shock.
"A moment frozen in time, one never shown to her children nor meant for them. This mark is the mark of a guardian of all, someone chosen to protect the realm. Faust told my grandfather that one day a creature would bear this mark, and it would change everything. So tell me Nathaniel Sol, how do you plan to shape the world?" The zebra stallion asked him and the human just stood there in shock.
"Are you ok Nathaniel?" Luna asked the human as he walked into her tent looking rather pale.
"Yeah I'm fine.. Just have a lot on my mind, that's all" The man responded and sat down on a chair provided to them by the zebras.
Like the fact that his arrival had been foretold by a dead goddess, which made him feel like the entire world had been put on his shoulders. Was he meant to be doing something big? Had his time in the woods and now time as a servant interfered with the goddess plan? Did that mean he now had an angry deity eyeing him from the heavens now?
"If you were fine you would not seek shelter with me young guardian, so tell me what's bothering you" The alicorn said and put away the papers she had been signing.
"Have you ever, felt like the entire world is waiting for you to do something?" The human asked after a few minutes and the princess snorted.
"Every day, it's something you have to get used to as a monarch" She said and he nodded slowly.
"How do you make sure you do what the world wants then?" Nathaniel asked and the mare gave him a confused look.
"Does this have to do with the role you currently hold? I am very sorry if that is the case, I know these last few weeks have been very stressful for you Nathaniel" The lunar monarch said and he shook his head.
"Call me Nathan Luna, please. After getting me out of the dungeons, feeding me, helping me find a magic teacher, giving me the best birthday I've ever had and put my mark up there as a constellation you deserve to call me that" The man said and the princess smiled.
"Very well, Nathan. If I am to answer your question then I'd say to just keep moving forward, and to share that weight with those around you so it doesn't crush you. Take a break at times, go see the scenery or find a mare for stress relief. Whatever you need to move forward" Luna said with a small smirk as Nathaniel sputtered at the last suggested method.
"I am only joking guardian Sol. If you can't take that then I do not envy you when Guardian Rose starts teasing you" She said and the man left the tent with a hasty goodbye, leaving a laughing Luna in the tent.
They were at the fifth day now, Nathaniel having been allowed to stay away from the talks this time by Luna. So far had there been no reason for any of the guardians to be with her in the chamber used to discuss the borders, meaning that the human and his three companions were walking around the streets of Mji, Blaze having stolen meat from a griffon who was selling it by the market.
So far had the day passed on rather slowly, Rose and Osiris teaching him some more things about the zebras and telling him how the talks were going so far. Apparently had King Fortem asked for control over the waters between the shadow lands and their continent, Luna and Celestia actually owning those waters since the dark kingdom lost it during a minor war with the griffins.
So the zebras wanted access to the sea? For what reason? Would all kings and queens they ran into have some hidden agenda? It annoyed Nathaniel than in this world of politics there was not many who you could trust. So far had Luna proved trustworthy but people like king Guto? They terrified him, no matter how sweet their promises were.
"Nathan, how much does it cost to make you sign up for that thing? We'll pay you a large sum of bits" Rose suddenly said and pointed to sign speaking about the ritual combat challenges one could do.
"A lot of bits, I can barely block an incoming blade and even less disarm anyone" The human muttered and Osiris shrugged.
"It's good experience kid, I think you could learn a lot if you used this to practice. Luna did tell us to get you battle ready if you would ever need to protect yourself, ignoring the fact your life is less valuable then hers" The earth pony said, muttering the last part.
"Don't be such an ass Osiris, she cares for all of us and wouldn't want anything to happen, even if we're supposed to protect her" The bat pony said and the stallion huffed.
"I'll do it then I guess, but if loose an eye or anything I'll have Blaze chase you across the city" The man said and the mare could only smirk back.
"You'll do great" She said, the wolf next to Nathaniel giving a worried look.
He would be fine, right?
Sombra's POV
I looked upon Silver Page as she shivered under my hooves, the succubus pony yearning for my touch, hoping that I would finally feed her. It was funny to see that pained and ashamed look she got whenever her new demonic desires for feeding kicked in, often sending her to the floor.
I had to admit that I was getting attached to her, she reminded me of my wife, even if my wife would never have begged to be rutted like a common whorse. I did like her pleading however, knowing what she had to do to survive and even worse, enjoy it ! It brought a smile to my lips each time she forced herself to ask for food.
But I had to cut our time short for today, simply giving her a bottle of liquidized lust. The spell to turn lust into a tangible food source was one of the weaker dark spells, succubi using it all the time to feed their young. I loved the idea tough, what would happen if I forced a normal pony to consume liquid emotions? Would they get torn apart because of the high concentrated mana in feelings? When I finally took the throne would all of this be so much more easy to figure out.
A banging on my door made me speed up the spells hiding my darker magical presence as well as Silver Page. If anyone found her they would still know it was the missing maid, her pegasus wings still not responding to any spell I tried to make the mare a full fledged succubus.
Once I looked like my old self (how did I ever walk around satisfied looking like this? My mane and coat look anything but royal and my eyes look so old. I could probably not even please a mare properly before. Dark magic did truly change how you looked at yourself) I opened a door and saw a young stallion in golden armor saluting me. So they sent a private to retrieve me? Did they have no respect for their Major? It did not matter what that cake eating princess had told them, I was their military leader.
"Sir, you are late. You were supposed to return several days ago and princess Celestia wants you back in the castle" The stalion said to me and I almost broke his neck right there.
Sir? You are supposed to address me with Lord you damn plebeian. I had not gained all this power to be addressed like some common noble. I was to be the first dark lord of the crystal empire when I was done, so respect would win you suitability points you damn sheep.
"Are you ok second lieutenant Fury?" The child asked me and I slowly thought up a way to stay in the crystal empire until I had enough power.
"What's your name?" I asked, letting my voice take a more authoritarian tone.
"Minted Surprise" The young stallion responded and I grinned, this would help me out in the long run.
I let my red eyes take a yellow glow and the pony in front of me froze, his eyes taking on a magical swirl. So the hypnosis worked well on both succubi and ponies, good to know. Now I just had to test it out on an alicorn, I wonder which of the sisters I'd rather bed first.
"You are to return to the group that sent you and tell them Crystal Blade, king of this empire, needs me here for safety reasons. If your commanding officer asks for a audience with my son he'll confirm it" I said to the young stallion who nodded slowly, drool starting to escape his mouth.
I stopped the spell and he walked off to tell his superior about why I was to remain in the empire. This would work greatly into my plans if his commanding officer wanted to question my son, who showed me the mark Luna had made upon the sky the night before. I had convinced him that the creature held so much power over the princesses now that he decided if the sun rose or not, scaring Crystal senseless.
I wondered if my own fear tasted as sweet as my son's had in the moment I told him that the very thing that gave life to the planet was under control of a monster. I would never know sadly, with power like this I would never feel fear again. I only needed a few more weeks and then I would know how to get rid of the crystal heart. After that there was only my son between me and ultimate power, so his death would be necessary. Not that I would complain, he had always been a fool.
King Guto's POV
The changeling coughed up green blood as it looked up at me, her pink made and tail dirty from being in the cell for so long. I was amazed by how unbreakable her will and loyalty to her mother was, but it would never proceed the power of the Idol, my sweet sweet Idol who had promised me all of the world in exchange for blood.
"Fuck.. You.." Was all the princess said before looking away, her wings buzzing.
Chrysalis had been my captive for months now, ever since we caught her in the outskirts of the changeling badlands had she kept quiet under all sort of torture and mind games. Not even draining her off all love had made her submit the location of her mother's primary hive. I had been forced to return said love as well to keep her alive, but with this new power the Idol had given me I would take all the information I needed.
A sickly yellow glow filled my talons and the changeling mare squirmed, trying to get away from me. It was a hard thing to do, with her front legs chained above her head and no way out of the dark dank cell. Without hesitation I put my talons on her head and with a pain filled scream could I see her mind, the Idol feeding me power as I tore a hole right through her psyche.
Years of memories shattered as I grabbed the ones I needed, the mare never stopping her pain filled screams and cries of mercy. When I finally was done with her she was nothing more but a husk of her former self, looking at the floor with dead eyes as tears fell down her cheeks.
"Thank you very much for your cooperation your highness, I'll make sure to use the information you gave me for a good cause" I said with a grin and left the cell behind, her once pink a vibrant mane now a greenish blue with holes forming.
The changeling's once young and defiant voice was now shrill and filled with an echo, like several different voices was speaking at the same time. But if I looked back it was truly her eyes that stood out, the Idol speaking in my head, assuring me that it was nothing. But deep down I knew the look that was overtaking her, the one the Idol could only inspire, true and hate filled madness.
Nathaniel's POV
The man looked at the large muscular zebra, the stallion the same size as Luna. So this was to be his opponent? Why did he already regret having Osiris and Rose sign him up to face this warrior of theirs? But what was done was done, he had to suck it up and fight for survival, even if they probably wouldn't kill him.
"The honorary battle between the warrior of the moon and the warrior of the desert is about to begin!" A female voice called out over the pit, King Fortem's daughter apparently hosting these fights.
Nathaniel looked over the equipment he had been allowed to bring, Luna's sword. That was it, there was no armor, no extra knives and he hadn't been allowed to make a bow. In this fight he would have to rely on magic and the steel in his hands to win, even if he doubted his skill with the blade.
The zebra stallion was painted for the fight, his stripes carrying a barrage of colours from all the tribes and his face carrying war paint. If anything this fight would out the human on the defensive and he did not like that idea. The weapon carried by this zebra was a metal spear, the stallion swirling it around between his hooves and mouth. So a long range fighter, good to know.
When the sudden sound of a bell greeted the man he knew the fight had started, making him dive to the side as the spear suddenly came flying towards him. Was the zebra trying to kill him!? Rose had said it was ritual combat but she had promised him that it would lead to bruises at most!
The man drew the black blade and ran for the zebra, the stallion tensing up before raising his hoof, a rune carved into it. A magical barrier met Nathaniel's incoming blade and then exploded, sending the human flying backwards as the zebra warrior ran for his spear.
The teen got up from his back as quickly as he could, holding out the sword in front him to hold back any strikes from his opponent. So the runes could be carved onto the body? Why did it feel like Luna or Celestia had a nuke rune tucked away under a left hoof?
"Our champion have mastered the art of enchantment and making runes! There is none quite like him, our best warrior!" The daughter of the zebra king called out over the pit.
This was their champion!? He hadn't agreed to face some sort of master in combat, Nathaniel thought he'd just walk away with some knowledge on fighting others on his level, not get killed by some warrior zebra with shield runes! If the man walked away with enough energy to stand then he'd kick Rose and Osiris flanks.
The green eyed teen looked at the stallion he was facing who let out a snort before rushing the human, holding the spear in his mouth. The first attack was easy to block, the teen deflecting it to the side. Yet with each strike the zebra sent his way the more ground he lost, being pushed back towards the pit's dirt wall.
The stallion knew what he was doing, each strike meant to send the human backwards before the champion tried to trust the sharp metal rod into Nathaniel's shoulder. It was all very easy for the warrior but tiresome for the guardian, the dark haired man keeping up a defensive combat style which was the mere basics.
Not before long was the man pushed against the wall and strike after strike from the zebra was making him loose all strength in his arm, dropping the blade. For a split second the zebra thinks victory is near, holding the spear to Nathaniel's throat, only for the world to explode in a bright white flash.
Star Swirl smirked as he looked into the pit the spell he had taught the human the day before already being used to great success against a more experienced fighter. This is the strength the human had shown him when the man had learnt the spell so quickly, a will to fight, a will to learn, a will to never bow down.
Nathaniel gave of a battle-cry as he crashed into the dulled zebra, sending them both to the floor. With the little time the green eyed teen had he punched the stallion in the side, sending him flying into one of the dirt walls. The champion got up with a groan of pain and glared at Nathaniel, cracking his neck before slamming his hoof down on the spear next to him, sending it spinning into the air before catching it with his mouth.
"Um, I'm sorry?" The human said with a nervous grin before the stallion charged him, the man putting up a magical barrier that cracked the same second the first strike hit the dome.
A game of shields and dodges started, Nathan trying his best to not get hit by the spear currently used by an angry zebra warrior. Yet even with his shields the human got cut, the first strike hitting his leg before the second one slashed his cheek. Stumbling backwards and picking up his sword from the ground the human tried to do another Solaris mico only for the blunt end of the spear hit his chest.
Nathaniel fell to the floor and didn't even have time to react before the blunt end of the spear hit his head as well, knocking him out. There was a silence over the pit before cheers broke out among the zebras, their champion having defeated the challenger from the north.
Pain, why did it hate him so much? Nathan sat up in the comfortable bed he woke up in and held his head, looking around the tent he currently found himself in. The presence of a table and a lunar princess giving him a deadpan look made him realize that they must have dragged him to Luna after the fight.
"Should I be disappointed or happy with your decision to fight the champion of all the tribes?" Luna asked with a small smirk as Nathaniel got up stumbled over to a mirror, looking at the tiny scar across his left cheek, another one to the collection.
"I thought you would be a bit more mad with me joining a fight to the death" The human said and she shook her head amusingly.
"That was not to the death, if it had been you would be nothing but pieces by now" The mare said as a cup of tea was levitated over to him, the man taking it with a thankful nod.
"So that was him holding back? Why exactly was I chosen as your bodyguard again?" The man asked with a small smile and took a sip from the tea.
The very thing of having tea with the alicorn was relaxing for him, a ritual where he felt safe and was in good company. Osiris had said he only drank liquor and something about a brothel. Rose just said it tasted like ash for her, meaning he couldn't have it with her, or at least not so both parties could enjoy it. Blaze had sniffed on the tea cup once and never got close to it again, snarling at the liquid. So this was a moment between Nathan and Luna, and he loved it.
"I found you cute and felt like saving your sorry flank that day" She retorted and Nathaniel did a spit take, looking at her in surprise while the princess laughed.
"I only tease Nathaniel, seriously you need to get used to this" The mare said and winked at him, making the human blush.
"The day I get used to the idea of finding a pony attractive is the day I kill a man" He said and the princess only chuckled at him.
"Time does wonders to one's mind Guardian Sol, remember that" Luna said and he nodded slowly, soon falling into the relaxing habit of asking Luna questions which were followed by her asking him questions, all over a cup of tea.
Celestia's POV
I looked upon my findings in horror, the book looking a hundred years old. Yet upon the cover there was the very same mark carried by Luna's new bipedal guardian. This book had been in a drawer in mother's old room, hidden from plain sight with a spell.
I knew that before her death had mother wished to speak with the zebra king about something, but had it truly been this? The mark was significant if Faust herself had kept it from her three children, but did this mean the human was a blessing or a curse?
With a heavy breath I opened the first page and saw a few lines of text, nothing more. Yet what it said made me even more weary of Nathaniel, even more scared of what he might do. It was only a few lines of text, I should not fear it, but I did all the same.
Ser Nathan Sol the Chained and Bound,
Mother had seen the future, she knew that the human would arrive, that Luna would take him as a bodyguard. Had she told anypony? Discord had told me that "he" would burn everything touched by him. Had the draconequs spoken about Nathaniel? Had Faust told Discord before me about what might come?
The prophecy spoke about how the moon had to mend the damage caused by the sun. Had I done the right thing when putting that spell on the human? Yes, if the last part of the prophecy was to believe then it had been the right call. If Nathaniel held power to end everything then I could never release him from that spell, I had already stopped one god like creature with unlimited power, I could do it again.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading chapter nine! Almost at chapter ten and a third through the story, so I'm pretty happy with what we got atm
Chapter Ten: The angel and the dragon lord
Nathaniel remembered the first few moments he had on Equus, seeing a real dragon for the first time had made him cry from the sight. While he did not cry now it didn't take away from the fact that he was in awe from the dragons home land and all it held within itself.
"The Golden Stallion" had set shore just by the dragons border and a smaller dragonness had met up with them, leading them trough the rocky and warm landscape filled with cracks in the ground and caves everywhere. The only true building the human could see as they walked through the homeland of dragons was a temple like structure in a cave guarded by a large red dragon, the being glaring at them as they passed him, heading towards the throne.
The throne of the dragon lord was more of a large rock than anything, the seat for a creature that big too large to be made out of gold. Yet it was what was on the throne that made Nathaniel's heart almost stop, the being's large brown eyes starring down at them from high up in the sky. The dragon lord welcomed them with a triumphant roar, followed by his fellow dragons doing the same.
"Welcome princess Luna of Equestria! We have awaited your arrival" The dragon lord said, his deep voice rumbling as he bent down to look at the ponies and the humans.
The size difference between the large dragon and the ponies were enormous, Luna not even being the same size as his eye. The human felt both awe and fear for this creature, the power the dragon had to hold was probably enough to crush the sisters castle without any issues.
The dragon lord of the land were a brown being, his scales and wings being of that colour. The only way he truly stood out among the other brown dragons was his size and the golden crown upon his head, the thing large enough encircle ten ponies standing on a line. The dragon lord's height could only be around fifty to one-hundred meters, making him stick out even more in the red and grey background of the dragon land.
The red soil on the ground moved in the wind as Nathaniel and the ponies were lead to a cave by the Dragon Lord, the alicorn not having responded yet to the dragon's greeting. Once they were in a chamber with smaller openings in the walls she spoke, her voice echoing in the cavern.
"We thank you for thou greeting us great lord Shadow Claw" Luna said with a smile and the dragon scoffed.
"There is no need for that speech here friend! This is not Guto's or Darkest Dream's court!" Shadow Claw said with a laugh and the princess grinned slightly.
"The griffon King and demon Empress would really not find that funny, but I do" She said and Shadow Claw lied down. '
"You came to speak of our borders correct? If that is so then you should know things are getting, complicated" The dragon huffed and Luna frowned, sitting down.
The man found it funny how the dragon lord did not care to offer them chairs or anything really, nor did Luna ask for any. The dragons seemed to care little for their diplomatic guests, they showed respect by bowing sure, but no signs of aything of comfort was nearby. The lunar princess seemed to care little of this fact however, happily sitting down by the dragon lord to discuss.
"The dragons are a tough species, they don't exactly sleep on beds or drink expensive wine. So they offer no other species that treatment, here all are equal but the royalty, and even then does Luna need to bring her own stuff if she's gonna use luxury objects" Rose said and Osiris nodded.
"They don't give a damn about your wealth here. Either you are a honorable warrior or a nation's leader to get any special treatment from these reptiles" The earth pony said and pulled out a deck of cards.
"Is this really the time? We're surrounded by giant creatures of fire and destruction.." Nathaniel deadpanned and his two fellow guardians rolled their eyes.
"They are as likely to attack you as they are to attack Shadow Claw, meaning they are harmless" Osiris huffed.
"The dragons won't harm guests to their leader, so you can be calm Nathan" Luna called back to them, her ears flicking and the dragon lord chuckled.
"Maybe we should play cards somewhere where we won't offend two world powers?" Rose asked the stallion with a sheepish grin and he nodded walking off towards one of the openings in the large chamber.
The human followed the two ponies and looked back at Luna and Shadow Claw, the two leaders starting to speak again. He knew that these dragons were not likely to hurt a guardian of an alicorn princess, but even if they left him in awe he could not trust them so easily, thinking back to Guto promising to free him if he left Luna.
The man followed Rose and Osiris into a smaller chamber, around the size of the royal dining room back at Luna and Celestia's castle. There was a flat rock table carved out in the middle of the room, perfect to play cards on or drink some liquor. Was it a bad sign he felt thirsty for some more liquid courage?
"Ok as Osiris has a bad habit of winning I suggest we beat him this time" Rose exclaimed and the scout grinned as he gave out the cards, Blaze sitting down next to them.
"Is the wolf in?" The stallion asked and Blaze nodded eagerly.
Was it creepy or amazing that this wolf was smart enough to understand the concept of playing cards? The man decided it was a little bit of both.
"Oh! If I win I'm forcing you to down four glasses of big red!" The sanguine grinned and Nathaniel was ready to run.
"Two glasses of that was enough to knock me to the floor, do you wish death upon me?" He asked and she only grinned in response, puling up a bottle of liquid courage and placing it on the table.
"If I win I'm gonna find a dragon brothel" Osiris said with a smirk and Rose groaned in annoyance.
"How would a dragon and a pony even.. I mean they are so big.." Nate said and Rose face hoofed.
"You don't want to know, just move on Nate" The bat pony said as Osiris finished giving out the cards.
"You see there are teenage dragons.." The golden furred stallion began.
"I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!" Rose shirked and the wolf and human laughed.
Luna's POV
I smiled as I heard laughter coming from the room behind me, knowing my guardians were having a good time. Yet my smile couldn't remain on my face as I looked into the disproving eyes of Shadow Claw, those brown round orbs looking into my very soul.
"Yes we have increased our military presence on our borders, but you do not need to worry my Lord, we do not wish for war" I said and swallowed, the anger of a dragon was not one I wanted to face today.
"Then you should tell Celestia to lessen her grip on the border, the tension between my scouts and your soldiers grow as more newly trained ponies arrive. I understand why she fears for your nation, but the Solar Princess looks like a paranoid fool with the amount of soldiers she has spread out" He said and I could only nod.
"After Discord took the throne during those two months we lost half our nation to bandits and self proclaimed states like the crystal empire. We needed to secure all our land, which meant spreading out our army to keep the order" I told him and he scoffed.
"I've known you since you were a filly Luna, you can handle all types of bandits and scum. This amount of soldiers is used during wars or in times of civil unrest. So tell me, is your country heading to civil war or is your sister just so overprotective she's willing to destroy the trust the nations hold of Equestria?" The brown dragon asked me.
"Once the country is safe once again she'll calm down and let up the heavy military presence on all borders" I said confidently, my sister was not a fool.
"I want to trust those words Princess of the Moon, but so far have your nation's near collapse only made you look weak in the eyes of the Equus. You need to show a feat of power soon or more places like the crystal empire will appear" He huffed.
"We sent our Lord Protector there to observe, once he returns will we know more and decide if this empire poses a threat or not" I said firmly.
"You sent him there without one of your guardians? You don't strike me as the stupid kind Luna, so why send him there without another good fighter?" The dragon asked me with a huff.
"We sent Lord Silver with capable soldiers and storm spike. With those ponies and that weapon he'll be safe" I said firmly once again, this questioning of my leadership skills starting to annoy me.
"If you think that is enough to keep him safe than so be it. But take my warning when I say this, that empire will only bring pain as long as it's allowed to rule itself princess of the moon" Shadow Claw said and I nodded slowly, pondering on the truth behind his statement.
Nathaniel's POV
He looked at the three other players, the wolf, stallion and mare all holding onto their cards tightly. Or Blaze were holding them in his mouth, but he still held them tight. The human had four princess Luna cards and one princess Celestia card, meaning he held the a combination Osiris had named "Lunar gangbang", a name Rose had thrown a mango after him for (where she got the mango no one knew).
With his amazing cards (or what he though he was amazing cards) Nathaniel was certain of victory. Osiris had talked big about winning in the beginning, telling them which dragoness he'd court first, a topic that delved into more about how spikes on a dragons back indicated good blood than anything really about how many dragons he would bed with the money.
The man saw Rose chewing on her cheek, eyeing her cards before looking at him. Either she had good cards and was trying to play him or she just had no poker face, either one could be true in this situation. Blaze was just sitting there and drooling over the cards in his mouth, eyeing the bottle of liquid courage in the middle of the table. Nathaniel really didn't want to drink like half of that thing.
With the goal of survival in mind the teen tossed out his cards to show, the cards making Rose mutter and reveal her's, three unicorns, one earth pony and one snake looking pony. The sanguine had lost and so all did not seem lost, the man already feeling like he had victory in his grasp.
Those dreams were dashed as Osiris tossed out five Celestia cards, making the human groan. Now he would have to drink the thing with Rose, who was unfazed by the damn thing! Or at least he though so before suddenly the wolf to his left spit out his card on top of the others, the five cards being that of a weird looking spear.
The human had no idea what it meant but seeing the slack-jawed scout made him realize that the wolf had defeated them all, with no effort or care what so ever. It was kind of funny seeing how Blaze had kept the same cards during the entire game without even looking at them.
"How in Celestia's name could the damn dog win!?" The golden stallion said and Blaze stuck out his tongue, Rose laughing her ass off.
"Well, it seems I won't be the only one to drink from the bottle of death" Nathaniel grinned and Osiris groaned in frustration at his loss.
"How do you even know the hound wants to us to drink liquid courag.." The scout started only for a glass filled with the stuff to be slid across the table from Blaze's direction.
The wolf had the liquor bottle in his mouth, holding it by the neck as he poured up its content in two more glasses that Blaze pushed over to Rose and Nathan. It seemed like they would all be drinking four glasses of this stuff, so they might as well enjoy it.
"The one who finishes last have to take a fifth glass" The human said with a small grin, grabbing his glass and swallowing its content in one go.
Yeah he was gonna feel this in the morning, the burning and coughing making him desire water or anything that wasn't that damn substance in the glass. Osiris seemed to have the same thought as he raised his glass slowly and began to drink, his pace not even close to Rose's, the sanguine having downed two glasses without a problem. Was her liver made out adamatium or something?
The rest of the drinking contest (something Nathaniel already regretted having agreed to and added to) was between the human and earth pony, Rose finishing up her fourth glass when the man was on his second. The mare was drunk however, like, she had fallen off her chair giggling at the air. The sight had been amusing but soon replaced with the intense headache and burning caused by the liquor, yet there was still a desire for more. That succubus label wasn't there for no reason.
Once Nathaniel could actually put the fourth glass to his lips he was dizzy and Osiris had passed out on the table, having passed out from his fourth glass. So now the teen had to drink five glasses? He had hoped to walk away alive today, there was dragons around dammit and he wanted to learn about them.
He wondered if dragons laid eggs, maybe it hatched into a lizard that then grew wings. Or maybe he shouldn't be thinking about confusing concepts while his brain was on the verge of collapsing on itself. Rose was currently giggling at the sight of the earth pony scout using Blaze's head as a pillow, the wolf that had been dragged onto the table didn't take kindly to the treatment but was stuck in the stallions iron hard grip.
The green eyed man would lie if he said he didn't enjoy spending time with these creatures all day long. Star Swirl was also an added comfort beyond them and Luna, the old stallion (who he now really wanted to call Gandalf just to see his reaction) having continued their lessons on the way to the dragon lands. The new spell the human had been taught was that each new battle mage was taught as they joined the ranks, how to cast a simple fire ball.
The human laughed at the fuzzy memory of fire everywhere and a furious Star Swirl as he had messed up the spell a fifth time, the old stallion having almost ripped him apart because Nathan scorched his hat a tiny bit. Thinking back at the complete change in the old wizard's character made him laugh more and he took that opportunity to pour up his last glass (this being the fourth bottle they had opened that evening, Blaze really wanted them all drunk today) and swallow it all down.
The same second the liquor hit his systems the human passed out on the table, dreaming about a golden idol and the eyes of a certain Lunar princess. While Nathaniel passed out Rose stumbled over to release Blaze from Osiris grip, allowing the wolf to grab the bottle of liquid courage and walk away. Apparently wolves wanted to get hammered too.
Nathaniel awoke with a groan and held his head, the sensation being a familiar one. How much had he had to drink last night? The man felt like he was on fire and like he was in a freezing winter month (he was, but the dragon lands were warm and rocky). The teen needed something to drink, something that wasn't liquor.
"I see you four enjoyed yourselves while I sat and discussed matters of the land" Luna's voice called out and the human turned to his right, seeing her sitting on a bed reading through a book.
"How long have I've been sleeping?" He groaned and stood up, the alicorn's magic catching him as he stumbled.
"Oh, only a few hours. Your body seems to work through that liquor quite quickly" She said and turned a page in her book.
Before he could even request it a cup of tea was levitated to him by the princess, the mare taking a cup for herself from a table near a wooden door. Tea with Luna, was there any more relaxing ritual he had on this planet then this? No, no he hadn't.
"Thank you princess" Nate said with a smile and she nodded back with a smile of her own before sipping at her tea.
The room the two found themselves in were a former small cave turned into royal quarters, having two beds and one bookshelf to give some comfort and a table used to store valuables in. There was a dark blue carpet on the ground made from a thick fur like material bearing Luna's crest. The man's bare feet sunk into the carpet and it was a comforting feeling of feeling something so fluffy against his body. The round walls were decorated with small paintings of dragons and the night sky, finishing of the final touches by having the roof be lit up by a magical enchantment that made it mimic the night sky.
"I see you like my personal room here in the dragon nation. Every object here was brought from Equestria as the dragons won't provide anything for you. I was allowed to have this place because of my royal blood, my mother's kindness to the dragons still rewarding us to this day" She said with a small smile and Nathaniel looked at the title of the book she was reading, "The last Scorn".
"It's a tale about one of the old races and its downfall" Luna said as she spotted him eyeing the book.
"Am I allowed to borrow or buy books Luna? I have a small bookshelf back in the guardian room in your castle and I would like to fill it up" He said and she nodded with a large smile.
"Of course, your servitude says nothing about owning things nor does your position as my bodyguard" The princess of the moon exclaimed.
"Ok that's good, I just like to read. When you read it's liberating, you can enter another world through the pages and become part of it" The dark haired teen said with a smile and Luna could only smile in return.
"I agree with that fiction is liberating, it's easy to forget the world for a few moments and just be" The princess of the night said with a relaxed sigh.
The two did nothing for a few moments, the relaxing silence was worth gold for each second that passed with it for the human. With all the stuff that had happened was a moment where Nathaniel had tea and a friend to talk to all alone sent from the gods.
"You should join Lord Shadow Claw later, he wanted to speak with you since you're a new creature in our lands" Luna suddenly said and the man nodded, the silence broken.
"I'll do that, seems like all you important people wants to talk to me all the time" He said with a small smirk and she just shook herself in amusement.
"Your arrival has marked something special Nathaniel, and we just want to know what that is" The mare said and the dark haired teen nodded before heading out the door, leaving his now finished tea cup behind.
The great cave that housed the ponies and ambassadors (so far said ambassadors had not showed themselves to him) were where Dragon Lord Shadow Claw waited for him. The room he and his fellow guardians had used during their card game were currently being cleaned by a group of ponies, meaning they most likely had poured liquor everywhere during the night before. How had he gone from a relatively normal kid with rich parents to a drinking bodyguard of a princess? Oh yeah, magic.
"I wanted to talk to you in private guardian. You bear a mark on your hand which does not belong there" The large dragon said, his voice booming through the cave.
"What do you mean?.." The man slowly asked, already wondering why the dragon had called him here.
"That rune is a special one, one that Faust herself made. It was meant for someone would could defend the realm yet you bear it. How did you obtain it?" The dragon lord asked him and looked deep into the teen's eyes.
"I did not steal it if that is what you're asking.. It just appeared and brought me here" Nate muttered to the dragon.
It seemed that all the royals had some plans for him or thought less of him in these lands. So far had only Luna earned his respect while the others had either creeped him or made him feel like the world was sitting on his shoulders. This Dragon Lord was being added to the list with the second category. The dark haired man did not why he had been chosen, but towards the end of the day that was the fact, he had been chosen.
"A mark like that chooses a warrior, some creature that can defend this realm against darkness and corruption. So why did it pick you human? Why pick a young creature without combat experience and with a mind not wise enough to understand the power granted to him?" The massive dragon's voice rumbled and he gave the man a suspicious glare.
"I do not know ok? I have no idea why this damn thing suddenly burnt it's way onto my hand and took me here but it did, deal with that fact" Nathaniel said with a growl and headed for the exit, finally having had enough of all these royals.
Yet as he tried to leave a large brown tail smashed down in front of the cave entrance and the dark growl from Shadow Claw made the teen realize that venting his collected anger at a creature that could squash him with its claw wasn't a smart move. He needed to find a hobby or something, like punching Celestia-looking training dummies, or punching the actual Celestia. Maybe then he'd loose some of that stress and irritation.
"I will see if you are worthy of that mark Guardian Sol. Meet me in the guarded cave four hours from now, I must prepare what Faust built such long time ago" The dragon lord said before exiting the cavern, leaving Nate behind to be confused again.
"So why did you join the army?" The man asked his two fellow guardians who was sitting by a fireplace, made for the ponies to cook their meals.
"My father was scout commander over the first Equestrian army. I decided to follow in the old stallion's hoof-steps and joined around your age. I had reached the rank of scout captain when Celestia assigned me to be one of Luna's guardians" Osiris said and took a chug from a bottle with liquor, this one much weaker than liquid courage.
"I joined as part of the sanguine guard squadron assigned to become a part of Luna's personal assassins and spies. They called us the "Children of the Night" back at the castle as we were never officially given a name" Rose responded and almost to quickly for the human to notice took the bottle from the earth pony stallion, swallowing down what was left in the bottle.
"Hey! You better pay for another one!" The scout growled and Rose stuck out her tongue.
"So what exactly was your tasks?" Nathan asked them both, snapping them out of their battle ready stances.
"I draw a map of the land I scout, mark down information on enemy strongholds, steal Intel that could help the rest of the army, find out how many hostile camps there are in one region and I figure out the patrol and shift patterns of our enemy to crush them" The golden furred stallion said proudly and Rose nodded.
"Me and my fellow assassins are the first to strike once the scouts has enough information about our enemy. We often hit tactical things first, like supplies or weapons, before moving on to killing high commanders of our enemies, spreading chaos" The bat-pony said and looked into the fire place, the flames reflected in her eyes.
"And in that chaos the normal soldiers rush in and cut down the enemy, making sure to not give them any time to breathe before a battle starts" Osiris said with a little glee in his voice, seemingly remembering battles from the past.
"What enemies do you have that require an army? As far as I've seen so far have only one kingdom been remotely hostile, and all I know about it is that it was created during some chaotic period?" The man asked and the stallion scoffed at him.
"Equestria has many enemies kid, may it be the damn mutants in the far south or the independent city states up north. We need to look strong enough to deal with either of these current threats or one of our "allies" might take advantage of our unprotected western borders" The scout said with a huff and Rose rolled her eyes.
"They wouldn't attack us, it would cause such grief with so many different races that the aggressors would be burnt to the ground" The sanguine said, her tone turning cold by her final words.
"So I take it you don't trust your allied nations?" Nathaniel asked the stallion who nodded.
"Trust is earned, not given Guardian Sol. You better remember that" He responded and the human nodded back.
"The griffins have always been our strongest ally, as without them we would have fallen into full chaos when Discord tore our country apart. They sent in troops to ward off bandits and they helped us rebuild most of our destroyed buildings. Apparently when you remove the magic that makes a building flout it comes crashing to the ground.." Rose muttered.
"The griffins have a military presence in our country, it's heavily decreased from what it once was but they are still there. I do not trust a king who is unwilling to pull out his troops due to "future aid" nor do I trust a princess who allows them to stay because of her own fears over a new Discord indecent" Osiris growled out and tossed a rock at the fireplace.
"Yet you are loyal to Celestia?" The teen asked, Rose sneakingly handing him a bottle of liquor.
"Yes I am. I am loyal to the Equestrian throne and whoever sits upon it. That doesn't mean I won't share my approval of being assigned to princess Luna rather than princess Celestia however" The golden furred stallion grinned and Rose noddded her head in agreement.
"Luna has always been respectful to the "dark races" as some call us. She is the one that makes sure that any interactions with the dark kingdom goes smoothly" The mare said and grinned as the human downed some of the liquor.
"So we all agree Luna is best princess then?" Nate asked the two and they both raised a bottle of liqour, the bag that had been filled with bottles slowly running out.
"Hear! hear!" The two guardians said to the human before they continued to drink up all their liquor.
Why did Nathaniel feel like he was the youngest alcoholic in the group already?
"So you surf, on lava?.." He asked the teenage dragon next to him, said dragon holding onto a piece of flat rock.
"Yeah! It's the best way to show who's the strongest! If you can handle the lava torrent you can handle anything!" The green scaled dragon answered.
The human had ran into someone his own age, which was refreshing as Osiris seemed to be in his late thirties and Rose seemed to be in her late twenties (then again she might be one-hundred and just lying about it). Meeting a creature that was more at his level (or so at least he had first thought) had been a blast. The dragon that was called Charcoal, the name had drawn a laugh out of him until the remembered he named a wolf Blaze, and he'd showed Nathan around the place.
The area where Luna and the Dragon Lord had discussed business was apparently off-limits for any of the teenage dragons and the fact that the man had gotten piss drunk with his fellow guardians in that cave had earned him respect. The fact that he was still a bit woozy after drinking with Rose and Osiris again probably helped with the decision he took about following Charcoal to the lava pools.
The heat that came from the pools were enough to make Nathaniel feel like he was on fire, yet with a protective bubble of magic around him his lungs would not turn to ash from the warm air. The pools where located on top of one of the many cliffs with one of the cliff edges leading to a twenty meter fall right into a big pool of lava. The rocky landscape laid barren at all directions as Nathaniel looked around, the horizon a bright blue from the sun's life giving light.
"Ok, show me how you do this" Nate said to the dragon who grinned and tossed himself down the river of lava that flowed from pool to pool, his scaly body twisting and turning to keep him steady in the powerful torrent of molten rock.
Charcoal went down the river high speed, zipping past other dragons who were in and around the lava pools. Nathaniel were still wondering how the dragon surfed on molten rock like it was water but he soon just accepted that this world was one weird place. What was even weirder was how easily his new dragon friend cleared the sudden sharp turns in the river, his body twisting with the stone board.
After a few minutes he was at the bottom, flying back to Nathaniel with a huge grin on his face. The sheer happiness and
"I'm not gonna lie, that was pretty cool" Her said and the dragon nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! Now you need to try it dude!" Charcoal said and pushed the stone board into the hands of the human, Nate looking at him in surprise.
"What!? I can't do that! I'll fucking burn to death!" He said and looked at the lava pools and river with fear.
"You'll be fine!" The green dragon said and dunked his hand into the human's back, sending him flying into the lava river.
For a second the man had some time to think about all the decisions he'd made to get to this moment, cradling a piece of rock as he fell towards a river of molten rock. Nate wondered if it was the fact he had started drinking or maybe it was because he'd started to get used to the life in Equestria, but Nathaniel knew he was being punished for something.
With a less than masculine scream the young human went down the river, Nate doing best to keep his hands and feet away from the lava as he channeled all his mana into the heat protective shield around his body. If the teen walked away with all his limbs he'd turn Charcoal into a fucking hamburger.
The spell Starswirl had taught him just for this part of the trip kept him safe from burning alive, but the sharp turns he saw further along the stream of lava made him remember something the older unicorn had told him when they were traveling to the dragon lands.
~
"Now I need you to note that while the spell protects you from the heat of the lava it will not keep you safe from the lava itself. So if you fall in.. you're dead"
~
That's right, he's dead if he get's the liquid stone close to him. How wonderful that he was fucking surfing on the damn thing then. It was not like Nate could suddenly flip in the high speed he was traveling past pools filled with dragons who gave him curious expressions.
The first sharp turn made him almost topple over, the spiked rocks along the river made the sudden change of directions even more dangerous for the human. The lava that landed right next to his hand on the stone board made him hastily pull the appendage away, only for the sudden action to send him far to the right, hitting the river's stone edge. Nathaniel was sent flying on top his stone surfboard, the edge having worked as ramp to propel him up into the air.
The other teenage dragons would tell of their grandchildren of the day a human flew over the Dragon lands, squealing like a five year old as he flew over pools of lava and solid rock. It would be the day the question of "how does a human scared shitless sound?" became answered answered.
Nathaniel had excepted to land on the rocky ground the same second he was sent up into the air, but that was not the case as the mountain held a great slope just where he had flown. Plummeting down towards the lava pools below the human could only scream in absolute fear. Why hadn't Star Swirl taught him teleportation or something!?
Just when it looked like death was certain as Nate fell down towards a pool of lava he was surrounded by a great blue light, stopping in his tracks. He panted and looked around as his body was transported towards the shore of the lava pool, Luna standing there with her horn ablaze and a scowl on her lips.
'Yeah fuck that I'm taking my chances with the lava' The green eyed teen thought as he struggled to get away, seeing the anger in the alicorn's eyes.
All his struggling was to no avail however, the princess soon setting him down next to her. Nathan tried to start the conversation but was beaten to it by Luna who got right into his face. That fear he had originally felt became slightly worse as she glared at him.-
"What in Tartarus do you think you're doing!?" She yelled and he responded with a wince.
"Sorry I just followed Charcoal up there and.." The man started and she growled.
"Are you telling me that dragon-ling got you onto the lava?" Luna asked, looking up towards the group of dragons that had gathered around the edge Nathaniel had fallen off.
"I don't think he wanted to hurt m.." Nate tried once again to be cut off by the pony.
"Did. He. Push. You. Into. The. Lava." The mare said once again.
"..Yes he did.." The teen muttered.
The princess gave a cold glare up towards the dragons on the edge, unfolding her wings to get up there. Seeing the pony's intent most flew away as quickly as possible, leaving Charcoal there to deal with the angry princess. The same second Luna got up to the edge she started to yell and scare living shit out of the green drake.
The human watched it all with a frown. Sure having been tossed onto the lava by Charcoal did make him wanna tear the dragon a new one, but Nathan didn't want him to get imprisoned for it. Considering Luna's look and tone at seeing him almost die however did hint to more of an execution than imprisonment however, which made him shudder.
After a few minutes of yelling and growling at the dragon Luna finally calmed down. What she was saying to the drake couldn't be heard, but considering Charcoal's relived expression he was not about to be killed or chained to a wall. Nate still wanted to smack him right in the jaw though.
Luna flew back down to him with the drake following her, the mare landing gracefully while Charcoal landed with a stumble. Whatever the princess had told him must have made him afraid, considering his twitchy wings. But as he wasn't dead it also meant the alicorn had worked some sort of deal with the dragon, or at least so it seemed.
"Uhh, I'm really sorry about that Guardian Sol. It'll never happen again, I swear upon my ruler and wings. So, are we cool?" The drake asked the human and held out his claw only for Nathan to hit him right in the face, sending Charcoal onto his back.
"Now we're cool" He responded and helped the dragon get back up, Luna watching them both.
The Dragon Lord's dark chuckle echoed across the cave, the teen looking at him with a glare. Nathaniel hadn't been late for his meeting with the ruler of all dragons. Yet of course Shadow Claw had heard about the incident involving the human and a surfboard of rock.
"That is a story for my daughter once she returns from the Dark Kingdom" Shadow Claw chuckled and the man huffed.
"Can we please just do what you wanted me to do?" Nathaniel asked and the Dragon Lord nodded, his gaze turning serious again.
"The carvern you happen to find yourself in was made by Faust herself. It was meant to be given as sanctuary for whoever bore the mark that rest upon your hand. As it was placed in the heart of Dragon territory it must have meant Faust choose one of us to hold that mark of great magical power. Yet it rest upon your hand human, so I must know if you are truly worthy" The mighty brown dragon said.
The cave itself was dome shaped with no uneven surface anywhere. The grey rock all around them where engraved with branch like patterns that all led to the middle of the room, forming a circle in the rock. The light coming from the large opening behind them were helping the dark haired man see, the great dragon casting a shadow upon the wall.
"Stand in the circle" The drake ordered the man who rolled his eyes and walked over towards the big circle in the middle of the room.
Suddenly Osiris, Rose and Blaze walked into the room, interrupting the dragon lord who looked down upon them. The three headed to the teen quickly, standing by his side like bodyguards. It seemed Luna didn't want him to wander off drunk and alone again, smart move.
"As of now we are to not let Guardian Sol wander off on his own. Where the kid goes we follow" Osiris said, Rose nodding.
"Very well.. This is a test for the human, but I will not disrespect Luna and force you out of here" The large dragon's voice rumbled, loading up fire into his chest before suddenly leaning his head down to spew it into the patterns across the floor. This fire quickly took on a green colour that lit up the cave even more than the sun outside.
The four jumped first at the warm fire the dragon lord produced, the heat rising even more in the room. Yet soon the fire would be the least of their worries as it's green glow warmed the ground under their feat, the ring around them starting to glow brightly.
"Faust said the chosen bearer would find their way like this" Shadow Claw told them before a large crack sounded out in the cave.
Before they had time to react was the floor under them suddenly gone, a hole within the green circle now standing. Nathan barely had time to react before realizing that he was falling for the second time that day, this time however he had no idea where he was going.
Sombra's POV
I walked out of my study room with a grin upon my face, a jar in my magical grasp. I had finally the chance I was looking for, a way to ensure that my plans would not be stopped by some simple guard or soldier. I quickly headed through the hallways of the crystal palace, going towards the guard barracks. This would be first time in since I arrived that I would be outside. I had made sure my disguise would not fail me, once again bearing a red coat and a normal horn.
The ponies that I walked past didn't seem to notice my presence, which meant my spell was working. To anypony without the magical knowledge to see it I was invisible, and I wanted to keep it that way. Moving like a shadow in the night I made it to the guards barracks, looking upon the blue crystal sword on their door, the mark of the empire's protectors.
Soon they would be my protectors, like how all of the north and then south would belong to me in little less than a year if everything went according to plan. With that in mind I opened the jar I had been carrying with me, the black and red dust inside glowing affectionately. This would be perfect.
I opened the door without making a sound and I slowly got inside. The stallions and mares were sleeping on their bunk-beds, oblivious to my presence in the room. I got to their kitchen and saw the large cauldron used to make food for the entire garrison. With a grin I poured the dust into the cauldron and with a quick spell I heated it up, the dust melting into the thing and becoming part of it.
I left the guard barracks with an even larger grin upon my face, knowing that the next target would have to be the crystal ponies themselves. I just hoped they had enough fear left for me with Equestria to the south and the Griffons to the east, because I was feeling hungry.
Author's Note
And we're a third way through the story and we hit 70k words! Two very good milestones for this half decent or half horrible writer (depends on who you ask). I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I love all the support and criticism given to my story, it means people like it or want it to improve, something I gladly do for you guys
Next week we'll continue Nathaniel's adventure in the dragon lands (which is not the same thing as the badlands I'm sorry for being a bit dumb about that one) and some more lore building from me ^^
PS: I wrote this while having gotten no sleep, so If you see a grammar error point it out please 😅 And I'm also sorry for this having taken so long, school and stuff got in the way.
Chapter Eleven: The angel's weapon
Darkness, that was the only thing Nathaniel could see as he fell down the hole that had opened up in the cave floor. He could hear Blaze and Osiris falling somewhere around him, the wolf making stressful and scared whines while the scout swore in anger. Rose seemed to have unfolded her wings as he could not hear her, which meant she'd make it down safely. If the human and his other two companions would survive the fall was debatable however.
They fell for what felt like an eternity, the man starting to pass out. It felt like the air was getting thinner for every second, his mind starting to move more slowly. It was a weird feeling for Nathaniel to know that he was falling at a fast pace yet his mind perceived everything very slowly. The young man did not pass out however, the air suddenly again filling his lungs as a light blazed up at the bottom of the hole, they seemed to have arrived.
Nathaniel gave of a fear filled scream as he made contact with the bottom, hitting a large pile of skulls. He tumbled down the hill of death with grunts and moans of pain, finally rolling out into a white marble floor. The teen laid there for a few moments, gritting his teeth in pain as he tried to will the pain away. It didn't work sadly.
Once his body no longer felt like it had been thrown in a meat grinder did Nate sit up, his left shoulder and back aching terribly yet nothing appeared broken. Why wasn't he dead? A fall like that should have turned him into paste but here he was, alive and well. Something was wrong about the place they had found themselves in, the human knew it. If they were to get out of the damn hole then they needed to figure out what sort of magic had sent them here in the first place. Where was even here?
The human looked around to see a large open cathedral like room around him. The bones he had landed on seemed to be that of ponies and many other creatures he did not recognize, it was like a graveyard with all the death behind him in a large pile. Why had the green eyed teen been sent here? What lied within the cave cathedral that had warranted a drop of a few hundred meters, if he had even fallen in the first place, magic was weird.
Nathan stood up and examined the place more closely. The only light within the building was torches mounted to walls all around him, the few hundred light sources having created the shine that had lit up the tunnel. The stalactites and stalagmites in the cave had grown enormous, touching each other making them resemble a pillar. They also seemed to have been polished, someone having wanted their resemblance to pillars to be as good as possible.
The roof of the cathedral was the most weird part of the place, like whatever had painted it had made it out of focus and made sure that their image would spin around like a vortex. Nathaniel could make out colours from the ceiling , but he could not make out what they were supposed to show. At times the colours stopped and he could make put something from it, like at times thinking he saw the head of a dragon. Yet it would not show him what secrets it hid, starting to move again as quickly as when it stopped.
The cathedral similarities was the strongest with the two rows of stone benches on each side of the bones, the podium in front of the them and the large door at the end of the rows of benches made out of a red crystal like substance. Was this a place to worship death itself? Because the feeling Nathaniel got from the place seemed to say nothing else but that, which made him even more confused.
Knowing he had to move on the man looked around for his friends, not seeing Blaze or Osiris which confused him. The wolf and scout had been right next to him as they fell but now he was alone in the cathedral like room, the pile of bones having not been impacted by anyone but him. Nathaniel was already getting freaked out by the hill of death he had landed on, but not seeing his fellow guardians manged to make it worse.
"Rose? Blaze? Osiris?" The black haired man called out into the cathedral, walking around the large pile of bones in hope of finding them, yet there was nothing there.
Nate decided to move on after searching for thirty minutes, or what at least felt like thirty minutes. They seemed to not be in the cathedral, alive or dead. While a part of him was happy to not have found their bodies he was still confused to why the hole in the floor had lead him to the underground cathedral, why was it important? Another part of him wondered over why Rose hadn't easily flown down to join him, the sanguine mare having the ability to make it down safely. Perhaps had they been separated by some spell, or they had simply already left the building? No matter the case, the human needed to get out of the cathedral and find his way out.
Nathan walked past the rows of benches on each side of the pile of bones and headed for the great crystal door, reaching it after a minute of walking. Once the teen stood in front of the it he prepared to use his magic only to find it not responding to him. Looking at his mark he could see it was lightly faded, like it was trying to cling onto him and not be erased. Something in the cave seemed to make him unable to use magic, which scared him way more than the pile of bones ever could. The one thing that made him feel truly in control, that made him feel truly free, was taken away from him. God he hated this cave.
Deciding to move forward the man pushed open the large crystal doors who screeched in protest. They seemed to not have been used in hundreds of years, yet there was still lit torches on the walls around him. What was this place? It took him a few seconds to finally get a large enough opening to move outside from the cathedral, being stunned from what he saw as he stepped outside into the sudden light.
The ceiling of the cavern he found himself in was made out of lava, the liquid rock hanging on to the roof of the cave in an unnatural way. Nathaniel had walked out to a stone platform, two pillars bearing the weight of the furthest part hanging out from the cathedral. A stone staircase descended into the deeper parts of the cavern to his left yet Nathan was too busy looking in awe at what lied at the bottom, a hedge maze leading to a majestic crystal castle.
"where the hell have we been sent?" He asked, looking over the new landscape, the feeling of dread seemingly resting over the cavern below.
Rose's POV
When the floor suddenly disappeared from under my hooves I instinctively unfolded my wings and hovered. Yet when I heard the screams and yells from my fellow protectors I dove after them into the darkness, my eyes that could normally guide me through the darkest night couldn't see anything after a few seconds. I tried to go after my comrades as fast as possible but soon I couldn't hear them anymore, making me speed up.
The sudden increase in speed proved to work against me however, as my head suddenly hit solid ground and I felt myself tumble down a hill. When I finally stopped I could feel grass and dirt in my mouth along with a jarring pain in my head. The sudden light that surrounded me didn't help my sudden headache either.
Once I opened my eyes without the light making my head hurt anymore I saw a strange sight, fields of grass and hills laid all around me and in the middle was a plain red house. My eyes winded as I looked at the house and surrounding fields, my ears flicking as I listened to any sound that could be around me. That house was not real, it could not be real.
With cautious steps I made my way towards the building, my wings feeling heavier than lead for some reason. I swallowed loudly as I reached the door, my breathing a bit heavier and quicker than normal. Why was it here? Where even was here? I couldn't help but feel tense, but the sudden soothing voice filling the air and the smell of freshly baked pastries made me push open the door in a hurry.
Inside the hall there stood a sanguine mare like me, her more dark blue coat making her yellow eyes stand out more. She was wearing a straw-hat, an apron and a golden necklace around her neck resembling a heart. She was watering some flowers before turning to me, my shocked eyes meeting her's.
"Are you ok my little bloodfly?" The mare asked me, her soft and melodic voice ringing through out my mind, making me shake in fear and shock.
Before me stood a mare I'd thought dead for seventeen years. A mare I thought I'd never see again. Before me stood my mother, bearing a soft smile on her face as she trotted towards me. The dead were walking.
Osiris POV
With a yell I hit the sudden rock floor, groaning in pain as I tried to get up. Where in Tartarus had I wound up now? If that damn floor had sent me into a changeling hive then I was gonna rip that damn Dragon Lord to pieces, treaty or no treaty. Sadly was my thoughts of revenge cut short by the sudden weight of the damn human's wolf landing on top of me, pushing the air out of my lungs.
"Get off me dammit!" I said and pushed Blaze to the side, the wolf giving of a confused whine as it looked around.
I could only agree with the wolf as my eyes scanned where we had landed, what I saw only made me even more confused. The place around us held seemingly no natural colour, bearing a grey and a faded blue hue to the air. I seemed to find myself in some sort of cave, yet the large pillars around us going up towards the cave ceiling was not natural. Following the pillars like a spiral was stairs, seemingly meant for something big as their width was that of two ponies back to back.
From what I could see had me and the wolf seemingly appeared from thin air, there was no hole in the cave ceiling that we could have fallen from and the rows upon rows of stone pillars showed no indication of stopping. The only reason I could find in this sudden transportation to this place was magic, but why would a test for the kid send us to some kind of cave?
As I pondered this started the wolf growl at one of the pillars and the stairs leading up to it, his teeth clear to see. What had gotten the damn hound so worked up? My answer came shortly as something came down the stairs, its head resembling that of a deer's skull and its body was covered in black rags. In the eye-sockets of the beast was a pinprick of white light, seemingly holding death itself within it.
I ran, I don't think I had ever run as fast as I did when I saw the beast, the wolf soon following me as the thing started to laugh a dark deep laughter that echoed in the cavern. Suddenly was screams and the sound of metal breaking the only thing that I or the wolf could hear, empty cages landing all around us. They had been thrown from the pillars, and I finally understood where had been sent. Tartarus guardian had just welcomed us, and its inmates had broken free.
Nathaniel's POV
The human had descended down the stairs and into the hedge-maze, taking random paths in hope to make it to the castle. Yet every twist and turn he took only mead to a dead end. As the human grew more and more frustrated about not getting anywhere did the sounds in the labyrinth pick up in intensity, what sounded like birds chirping at abnormally high volumes. To ensure that he wouldn't go back the same way he came did Nathaniel mark crosses in the dirt of the labyrinth. The teen hoped they would help find the exit more quickly.
However Nate would soon wonder if there even was an exit, the amount of dead ends and never ending corridors of plants making him feel even more frustration. He had fallen a few kilometers down a hole, lost his friends, seen a cathedral of death and now he was forced to listen to a bunch or annoying birds in a maze that never ended. Why did the world hate him so?
Nathan kept on walking for many minutes until a cold breeze suddenly blew through the hedge-maze, all the annoying sounds suddenly stopping in an instant. Where even was those damn birds? He couldn't see any nests on top of the maze walls. Maybe inside the growth around him? It was in his pondering that he felt something, the mark on his hand glowing brightly. The dark haired human turned around and looked down the corridor he'd walked on moments before. There stood a man there, his bulky figure black and inky.
The creature was dressed in a suit, yet it was barely visible under all the black liquid sliding down the frame of it. Its face was nothing but a black head-shaped orb that didn't move an inch. Its tall arms almost touched the ground and the tip of its fingers did not carry claws, but eyes. Its hands had slow blinking eyes which irises where a sickly green. The fancy black shoes the monster wore were tied with a little black bow. The beast seemed to suck out all the light around it, a horrible groaning sound coming from it.
Nathaniel was hyperventilating in fear, slowly backing away from the monster. It made him feel such dread that his heart felt cold as ice, like it wanted to escape out of his throat. His long black hair wiped his face as the cold wind picked up in the labyrinth. With the cold wind hitting his back could he feel the ice starting to form on his shoulders and legs, like it was trying to keep him there.
It was then the monster rose both its arms, the groaning becoming louder as its eyes focused their stare on Nathaniel. A black liquid started to flow from the thing's shoes, spreading across the dirt like black spiderweb. It climbed up the maze walls, the leaves and branches becoming a pale grey before withering away to nothing. It was then to his horror Nate saw what had made those bird sounds, all of trunks that made up the hedge-maze was covered in grotesque cancerous like tumors that all had bird beaks.
The beaks started screaming before the tumorous growths exploded in a shower of blood, bathing the black inky creature in blood as well as Nathaniel. When the blood finally hit him did the human react, starting to run away from the monster with tears of fear running down his cheeks. The ice that had started to spread over his back shattered and slid across the blood soaked ground, the cold wind growing even more chilly as the beast covered in ink screeched, the ground shaking.
The young man ran and ran, looking back to find the monster gone only for it to appear ahead of him. The green eyed teen stopped in his tracks and raised his hands to fire a blast of magic at the monster, only to remember that his magic wouldn't work. Choking down a fear-filled whine he threw himself into one of the hedge walls, the tumor beaks screeching and cutting him as more of the growths exploded. Once again showered in blood Nate finally saw the exit, the two stone pillars keeping the disgusting maze at bay and creating an opening to the dark castle.
Nathan ran for the exit and just as he passed it exploded a fountain of black liquid in the middle of the former hedge-maze. With the explosion of liquid came another screech from the creature that echoed in the cavern. A wave of the beast's black liquid rushed towards the human and he ran faster, sprinting over the bridge that lead to the castle. Once Nate reached the two doors made out iron clad in sooth he pushed on them desperately, trying to get inside the castle, away from the monster.
The two doors like the red crystal ones slowly opened with a displeased sound from the metal hinges the doors rested on. Once the man had finally made a opening large enough to enter the building was the wave passing over the bridge, the outlines of the creature at the front of the wave. With a desperate yell did the teen squeeze himself through the gap and ten put his entire wight on the two doors. With another creaking sound did the two doors start to close, the wave mere moments away from hitting him. With a detriment scream did Nathan slam himself at the doors who closed, stopping the wave from hitting him.
The monster outside screamed in frustration and the door shook, the beast trying to get inside. With a quick scan of his surroundings ran Nathaniel over to a bookshelf next to the doors and with the last of his strength he pulled it enough to the side for the thing to tip, the bookshelf hitting the ground with a loud boom. The large piece of furniture blocking the door and preventing the beast from getting inside.
After a few failed attempts at getting inside did the monster finally leave, allowing Nate to rest. The man slid down the wall and hugged his knees to his chest, breathing deeply and slowly as he tried to calm his fried nerves. Nathaniel's heart were beating like a bass drum and his body felt so incredibly tired. He just wanted to sleep and go home. Soon his wish was granted as his eyes closed and the young man fell asleep in the dark halls of the castle.
Roes's POV
I looked at the mare in front of me, my heart beating at an alarming rate as she walked up to me and nuzzled into my neck. The smell of lavender and freshly baked cookies hit me as she stood so near my muzzle, a small smile on her lips as she backed away. How was she here? Why was she here? The thoughts made my head throb and I took a few steps backwards only to find the door closed. Had I done that?
"Are you ok Rose? Do you want your mother to get you some water?" My "mother" asked and I nodded, itching for a chance to get away from this damn place.
As she walked over to the kitchen at the end of the hall I tried to open the door, only to find it locked. I slammed myself into the damn thing but it wouldn't budge. Soon I was forced to give up and look around, seeing two closed doors to my left, two very familiar doors. It couldn't be..
My hooves made almost no sound as I walked slowly over to the first door and carefully pushed it open. Inside was a room I thought I'd never see again, two beds as far away from each other as possible with two of the walls having been drawn on with a piece of coal. It was my childhood bedroom, me and my sisters childhood bedroom. What made me stop dead in my tracks was the foal on one of the beds, her cute twitches and snores all to familiar.
"Lucid?.." I asked quietly, walking over to the filly and looking over her.
Her mane was still yellow and purple, the yellow bangs hanging over her right eye making me think back to the times our mother used to get a grip on Lucid's long mane using a metal ring. She would pull back the filly's long mane and bind it to the ring, giving my little sister a long pony tail that ran down the side of her neck. Oh how she hated having to pull back her mane. Lucid's tail was no different either, still bearing its purple colour from our father. Her white coat was filthy from the coal sticks she had used to draw on the walls, always hating to bathe it all off later on mother's orders.
"Isn't she just adorable?" A voice suddenly said from my side and I jumped, "mother" standing there.
"Yeah, yeah she is" I responded slowly and eyed the mare in front of me.
My mother's yellow eyes still held that light in them that had made me and Lucid shine up every time we saw her. Her yellow mane was a rarity among the sanguine race and it always had helped me find her in a large crowd. The mare's dark blue coat had always been her best asset when it came to hunting in the dark and when it came hiding from guards. The straw-hat that had been on her head was now gone and the apron that had been around her stomach and chest was now hanging on the wall next to the kitchen door. The golden heart necklace around her neck had the engravings "Sor Fa, Mi sol Tir", "Rest well, light in my darkness". The necklace our father had given her.
Was it really her? Had the damn hole sent me back in time? Why would it send me back to here? Why was I seeing what life had once been? My mother untouched in her mature beauty and my sister sleeping innocently on her bed. Why was this moment in time important enough to send me back to?
"You've grown into such an attractive young mare Rose, you almost make your old mother jealous" She giggled and walked to the kitchen, swaying her hips as the tune of a song started to play.
Where was that music coming from? We had never owned one of those fancy crystal recorders father spoke of, nor did we have any instruments at home. I reached back to remove my armor only to find it gone. The leather straps that made up my flimsy protection was gone, but when had that happened? I was wearing my armor for a few seconds ago. The music got louder and I could hear my mother sing from the kitchen, her voice making me feel relaxed and calm.
I walked over to the kitchen and saw my mother by the oven. This couldn't be my mother, this couldn't be Dark Eclipse. This was not the mare that had raised me, it couldn't be. But even knowing that I nuzzled into her neck and let a purr escape from my lips, the mare giggling and nuzzling me back. Had I grown shorter? For a few moments was I eye to eye with this mare but now was I forced to slightly look up to meet her gaze.
"Stay with me forever Rose" She whispered into my ear and I could only nod, nuzzling into her neck.
I was just a young teenage filly, why would I ever need to join the army like father? I could just stay here with mother and Lucid, being happy and relaxed forever. Why would I ever want to leave for the capital? That had been a stupid idea from the start, mother had said so, and mother knows best. Yet she must have forgotten something in the oven, as the smell of smoke started to spread across the house.
Osiris POV
I forced the wolf to shut up as we hid from the monsters roaming the place, the beasts making both sentences and snarls that made my blood run cold. I had my hooves clamped around the hound's muzzle and I desperately tried to make it stop growling and howling at the sounds Tartarus made.
"Be quiet you damn mutt! Those things can find us here!" I hissed at Blaze who whined over my hooves holding its mouth shut.
We had hid behind one of the large pillars after running for a good while. I was certain that I had seen monsters made from shadow and smoke following us for a few minutes ago but now they were gone. I knew that the monsters in this place must be toying with us, happy to finally have shed their shackles. It was just a matter of time until they found us, which meant we needed to find the exit, and fast.
As the wolf calmed down I finally released its muzzle, letting it growl and whine again, though at a lot lower volume than before. I started to peek around the corner of the pillar down the corridor we had come from, not seeing or hearing anything. I waited several minutes before I took out a small rock out from my pouch and threw it and one of the other pillars. The reaction happened in an instant, a large snake suddenly there and slithering to the other pillar. Light seemed to shimmer around it before it became invisible again.
The snake had been red with black rings running down its body, its yellow eyes looking around for prey. The fangs that poked out from its upper maw were long as swords and seemed to drip a poison that ate through the rock. I remembered having heard about this creature when I was stationed in Tartarus but to actually see it..
Blaze's growl at the now invisible snake were sounding through our part of the cavern, which made me quickly grab the wolf and drag him to another pillar. The snake slithered over to the place we had been seconds before, seemingly becoming visible once attracted by sound. Why would Celestia throw this thing in here? It could swallow me whole in a heartbeat.
As the snake circled our earlier hiding spot did me and the wolf move away, the damn hound finally keeping quiet. Once we made it far enough among the rows of giant pillars to consider ourselves safe I stopped to make up a plan. We would need to find the kid and Rose later, if they were alive to begin with, and get out of Tartarus first. With that in mind I took a hold of Blaze's neck and looked into his eyes.
"You will keep quiet, you will not disobey my orders, you will keep going no matter what and even if the entire place is exploding will you keep fighting. Is that understood soldier?" I growled and the hound only whined and nodded in response.
After that I had made sure the wolf would listen did I start to move down the different corridors of pillars, slowly making progress by either having the wolf's nose guide us away from dangerous areas or throwing different objects to distract the beasts that lurked in the darkness. Yet it didn't always work, especially with ponies down here as well that would gladly kill us to get any sort of weapon.
As Blaze seemed to be leading us to more lit up places of Tartarus could I assume that the garrison stationed at the exit of the place had to be near. Just as we passed the first metal sign (and Blaze ate a creature that reminded me of a hare) did I hear something strange, a voice that I recognized. It was coming from a couple of stairs that led down into the dark depths of the demonic prison to our right, leading us off the path to safety.
The wolf turned around and looked at me with a tilted head as I headed for the staircase, trotting down the steps as the voice grew louder. The hound followed me and whined, pulling at my saddlebags as it tried to make me turn around. But I couldn't turn away from this, it was the voice of a singing child down there.
Swatting Blaze to the side I descended the steps and headed for the child's voice. If there was filly or colt condemned to this place then I had to save it! My hooves moved at a faster pace to get me to the bottom where I saw a filly sit in the middle on the only light source coning from above. Her back was turned on me and her singing got louder and louder as I approached her. I couldn't quite understand what she was singing however.
"Come with me little one, I'll get you out of here" I said quietly to not attract any monsters.
But as she turned could I only stare in terror, her eyes two black orbs seeming to contain all the darkness in the world and her mouth curved into a smile of death. Her light yellow coat was dirty and filled with large bugs crawling over her, her blue mane and tail looking so ungroomed it was a wonder she still had them and her hooves were cracked and bleeding heavily.
"You left me" Echoed her hollow voice as the darkness seemed to grow in intensity and all light disappeared, black tentacles grabbing a hold of me as I finally remembered her face. A face I had forced myself to forget so I could move on, so I wouldn't appear weak to my leaders.
Ten years prior
I looked at the family walking past the main entry into Tartarus, a mare and stallion talking with each other as a filly sat on the wagon both of them were pulling. I ignored their presence and kept guarding the open gate, soon walking back inside to meet up with the other guard who would watch the entrance. If I had turned around would I have noticed the little filly slowly sneaking in behind me, her steps muffled by some cloth tied to her hooves. If I had turned around a bit earlier would I have seen the filly walking down a pair of stairs. All I had seen was a pair of back legs and a tail before she was gone, I questioned this sight and assumed it was another trick by Tartarus. The sudden frantic parents bursting inside and screaming at my commanding officer changed my mind quickly. Yet all I could do was stand there and not say a word, frozen between uncertainty and fear over being thrown into the prison myself. So I stood there, not saying a word as my head screamed at me to act, yet I didn't run for the stairs. I simply stood there, unmoving, hoping what I had seen was just some vision.
Present
"It's you.." I said, my eyes wide and my mouth having run dry with fear.
The little filly of darkness grinned as a tentacle pierced my left front leg, making me scream in pain. Her eyes seemed to grow even darker as she stepped closer and looked up at my suspended body, that creepy smile never leaving her lips. Why did I follow her voice? Why would I have come here? But deep down I knew why. I deserved this, I deserved death.
The blood pouring from my leg was not a good amount if I wanted to stay awake, darkness creeping over my line of sight as the filly never left my gaze. I thought I would finally die until a loud howl and the sounds of screaming echoed all around me. For a second was a grey blur over the filly, growls and screams the only thing I could hear but my slowing heartbeat. Soon the tentacles loosened and I fell to the floor, a fluffy wolf helping me stand.
"God dog.." I murmured and looked to the filly, the now gored dead body turning to a black ash that slowly grew in size and thickness.
As her dark laughter started sounding from the ashes did the wolf drag me up the stairs in a panic. Blaze whined as he pushed me up the stairs, the ashes starting to follow us up towards the light. When he finally dragged me up did the ashes follow us, taking the shape of the filly again who giggled before giving off a loud shriek. The giant prison responded with screams of inmates and beasts all out for blood. We ran, or rather the wolf ran and I limped after him, the filly taking on the shape of a giant spider made out a black inky liquid.
As the wolf ran off ahead and the monsters of Tartarus seemed to come closer could I only assume this was the end. I couldn't keep running for much longer and the amount of blood I was loosing couldn't be good. I turned around to face the spider and I closed my eyes, hearing Blaze's worried whines.
"I'm sorry for leaving you that day. What I did was unforgivable, and I will never allow myself to something similar again. I'm so sorry for thinking you a vision and simply letting fear take over my mind. I accept whatever punishment you hold" I said and suddenly the world seemed to slow down and a white light erupted around me, being the last thing I could make out before darkness took me.
Nathaniel's POV
The man woke up fairly quickly from his slumber, his body and mind having gotten some rest from the visions he had seen in the labyrinth. Nathaniel knew that he had to keep moving and find the others, if they were down in these dark horrible depths than he needed to find them and get them out of here. With that in mind did the human walk down the dusty corridors of the old castle, grand windows to filthy to see through popping up once in a while among the never ending rows of bookshelves. He wondered what all these books contained but quickly crushed that curiosity, Nate needed to get out of here first.
The carpets and banners in the old castle all bore the same mark, a red crystal sword piercing the sun. It didn't make much sense to him as the banners then depicted battles between zebras and ponies with dates ranging from a year before Nate arrived to over one thousand years into the future. Luna hadn't mentioned any wars with the zebras that had happened recently, which meant that she had either lied or the banner was showing a fictional event.
Nathan came to a sudden stop as he looked down the corridor he has been walking down, the black masonry not hiding the two large black doors at the end. They stood wide open to reveal a cloaked pony standing there, a hood pulled over his head and a metal mask resting on his face. The mouth of the stallion was covered by a black line that had the sign of a sound wave moving ever so slightly with the two slits for the bearer's eyes glowing a bright yellow. From the forehead of the pony a red curved horn rose up, glowing lightly in a red aurora that at times shifted to a green or purple glow.
Once the pony spotted Nathaniel he stood there unmoving, drawing a red crystal sword from his side. The teen had assumed that he pony was a stallion due to his resemblance to Osiris, but with that mask was anything possible. What surprised the human more was the voice that came from the stallion's mask.
"What are you?" The robotic distorted voice called out before suddenly the two black doors slammed shut on their own and the corridor started to tilt.
Nate stumbled as the floor suddenly started to rise in one direction and lower in the other, the two black doors and the entire corridor being tilted in one direction. Soon the human couldn't hold on and fell backwards with a scream, plumeting down the former corridor right into a new pair of door. The new doors shut as well when he fell through them and the human landed with a roll, the floor no longer tilting backwards and the falling having stopped.
As he looked up did Nathan see the shoes of the beast, black inky liquid slowly being absorbed by the carpet the creature stood on. With his magic out and his body screaming in pain could he only tilt his head up to meet the gaze of the many eyes adored on the monster's fingers. Fear gripped his heart and he closed his eyes, drawing a shaking breath as the thing picked up up, the eyes poking into his side as the monster held him. With a dark chuckle was he tossed across the room and hit a wall, groaning in pain.
"You will never be free. So keep working you damn mistake" The beast suddenly said, the man opening his eyes in surprise.
"I do not fear you anymore.." Nate said and got up.
"What? Stay down you damn child! I do not have time for thi..!" The monster said before suddenly the teen jumped it with a angry scream.
"I. DO. NOT. FEAR. YOU. FATHER!" He screamed and beat his fists against the creature that shirked in pain and tried to get away from the sudden attack. ¨
"I have always hated you! I have always felt anger over your cold heart! But I stopped fearing you the same second I sent you across the room! So. get. out. of. my. head! I will never fear you again!" Nathaniel yelled and kept beating the beast until it took the form of his father, turning to dust with a scream.
For a few seconds was there nothing, the young man panting and falling to his side in exhaustion. Yet soon a great white light erupted around him, blinding him. However the light was soothing, the light felt good. Soon he felt rock under his body again, a great green light shining a few meters away from him.
Rose's POV
I never wanted to leave the warm embrace of my mother, her soothing voice filling the air as she sang on my favorite lullaby. But the smoke was becoming a real bother, filling my lungs as I coughed and squirmed to get away to cleaner air. But my mother's grip wouldn't loosen, her voice only rising in volume as if she tried to block out something else. But she must have known what she was doing, I was just a teenager after all, why would she ever try to hurt us?
That is when I heard it, Lucid's voice. It was faint but somewhere in the house was her voice yelling, crying. Why wasn't mother doing anything? Lucid was sad! Mother would never make us sad, she had never made us sad. I remembered a great smile on her lips, the necklace around her neck cracked and broke.. Wait, cracked?
I looked to the necklace around the mare's neck and there it was, a long crack running through the golden heart. But father would never give mother a broken heart! They had loved each other so much! They always laughed and took us to the city for candy! They always argued when they thought we were sleeping..
I looked at my mother's calm face as she kept singing, had I grown? I was eye to eye with her again and her embrace no longer covered me completely. I could hear the sounds of angry screams in the house, father's and mother's voices. I could hear and almost feel the impact of something made out of metal hitting the wall and I remembered a long hug with my father by the door. Then, I could hear my mother crying and the sound of Lucid screaming in fear. The noises were overpowering the singing from my mother now.
I then saw before me a mad smile, tears, a match being lit and a house on fire. It was slow, but looked my mother in the eyes, no longer a beautiful soft spoken mare but a rambling dirty husk of a pony crying black tears. I opened my wings and she lost her grip on me, falling back against the oven and catching on fire. She screamed in pain and rolled around on the floor as I slowly walked away, going through the burning building to my old room. I opened the door and picked up the crying bat pony filly, placing her on my back as I walked through the fire without getting burnt.
As I left the building could I hear the pain filled screams of my mother and roof falling. Soon there was no sound but the fire eating away at what once was home. I opened the pouch I had sown to my armor and picked out the broken golden heart that rested inside. I kissed it softly before dropping it, the fire calming and the smoke in my lungs clearing. It was time to move on, it was time to accept reality. With that thought was the world suddenly gone, a white light taking over my sight and the weight of the foal on my back. She was in art school anyway, she didn't need her big sister anymore.
Nathaniel's POV
The man looked around and saw all of his companions standing within a runic pattern that he could only say resembled a pizza slice. Nate was standing in his own "slice" who's edges lit up a bright green as did the edges of the "slices" his friends stood in. The edge of each "slice" met in the middle to a circle who's edges also lit up green. Soon was the entire room glowing in this colour with Osiris looking around in confusion and Blaze howling happily at seeing his owner. Rose was most interested in what stood in the middle of the circle, a war-hammer with two flat faces and resting between them on each side was the rune resting on the human's hand.
"This is why we were sent here" The teen said slowly and walked towards the war-hammer, the thing standing up thanks to as hole the shaft rested in.
"Be careful kid, we don't know what more shit that thing will cause" Osiris muttered and eyed the war-hammer, a large scar on his left foreleg.
"He's right Nate, be cautious" Rose said and tried to push away the wolf who sniffed her side, she smelled like smoke.
Nathan only nodded and with both his ink covered hands he grabbed the long black wooden handle. As he slid the war-hammer out of its resting place started a black inky mass flood up out of the hole it had been resting in, making both Osiris and Nathaniel swear and back away. To their relief did the black mass only follow the glowing green patterns on the floor in the dark round room they found themselves in. Soon started words glow in each slice they had stood in.
Forgivness lit up in Osiris part of the room and he bowed his head to whisper an apology to a someone.
Acceptance started to glow in Rose's corner and she seemed to draw a breath of fresh air, like a weight had been lifted from her back.
Freedom finally started to come forward in Nathaniel's part of the room, a happy laugh rising from his chest.
There was a great flash of green light before all four of them stood in the cave the dragon lord had led to before, the dragon standing there with Luna who seemed to have been yelling at him. Both of the rulers looked at the four in sruprise before Luna hurried over and hugged Nate, showering the other two guardians and wolf in affection as well to seeing them alive.
All the dragon lord could do was stare as the human raised the war-hammer made by Faust and Valkyrie herself. The weapon bearing the female dragon lord's name on its handle, that was currently resting on the human's shoulder. Nate could only grin at the dragon, his mark shining bright.
Sombra's POV
I looked upon the three ponies I had gathered, the leader of the mines, the leader of the trade and the arch mage of the crystal empire. I had gone through many of my idiot son's guards to find these three and then wasted much of my precious energy just to have their abnormally strong minds bend to my will. They would start telling their workers and family about laws my son would be making, false of course, but rumors would create anger. I needed anger, I needed riots to draw attention away from the crystal heart.
"You will tell all you know that the king will make slavery legal in his empire and that all poor families within his borders will be forced into servitude or face death" I said, my eyes glowing a bright yellow as they nodded.
These damn peasants was too easy to manipulate, especially my son. His trust in me was almost admirable if it wasn't for the fact that he easily bought into my lies. His whorse mother would have been proud over her child ruling over his people like Crystal did now. But she had always been weak minded, not had the strength to govern a nation. I would rule these ponies as their rightful king as my goal had always been since that damn beast had taken everything from me! I would show him, once he came would the sky blacken and I would strike down this Nathaniel Sol like the hound he was!
King Guto's POV
I looked at the letter from my spies, reports about the hive queen's death having been spread across the Badlands. I loved it when a plan worked, then again so did all plans by the idol. I looked upon the object that had gotten me this far, its soothing dark voice making me shudder in pleasure and almost drool. I would make it all mine, like my father and his father before him had dreamed off!
The only real problem my plans had faced was the escape of our captured Changeling princess. She had lured her feeder close and sucked him dry of love, leaving him her thrall for a few seconds. Once she was free had she killed him and fled, her mad laughter as she killed griffin guards still haunting the staff.
But I couldn't care less, her kingdom was destroyed and so was Celestia's only great spy network. Without it would the reports of my troops moving from all directions towards Equestria come far to late and contain too little information to be useful for her own troops. Soon would her throne and plot be mine, along with any other Equestrian mare I'd want. The idol had promised me a war, and a war was coming.
Sirina's POV
The goddess looked into the well's water, seeing her chosen champion and dark mage meet. A very specific dark mage that had been given a destiny by the universe he lived in and not by her sister. Yet in a moment had reality shattered thanks to a shrine Faust had created with the changed timeline. A meeting that was never meant to happen, at least not in her vision of the natural order.
Two champions seeing each other even for a brief moment was a bad sign. If the son of Sombra and guardian of Luna had seen into each other then the Nexus was waking up to the new guardian, which meant that once again would her connection to Nathaniel be lost.
"Good luck Nathaniel Sol, you will need it my champion" Sirina said and walked off, the water in the well becoming clear as she was suddenly gone.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for reading chapter 11! I'm happy I managed to get this out before I was going t away with family on a trip over the next few days. I hope you have a good day or night and that you comment what you thought
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Chapter Twelve: The angel and the crystal king
Nathaniel hit the floor with a groan, the man slowly getting up and rolling his right shoulder. He had been doing this for hours now, The Golden Stallion's crew watching from the guardrails to ensure they didn't get pulled into the fight. Nate had been training with his instructor for the past two hours, the mare having disarmed him again and again as they fought. The sword Luna had given him was laying on the floor a few meters away from the human, shining in the sun like it beckoned him to pick it up again.
Before he could even think about retrieving his blade was the tip of a spear pressed to his throat, his instructor giving him a disappointed look. The mare held a blue coat, white mane and white eyes. Valiant Heart was a good instructor, having made him much more proficient with Luna's sword now than when they began the training. But she still outmatched him, blocking and parrying every strike he sent her way, switching between using her mouth and hooves to move her chosen weapon.
Their latest battle had started good for Nathan, the young man began with blocking her initial assault of quick jabs and stabs of her spear before cutting the weapon's handle in two. With her weapon broken were Valiant forced to attack Nathaniel at close range, making it a much more fair fight for the human who could only use his sword for enemies close by.
The fighting became quick and chaotic for the human, his trainer jabbing her spear at him every few seconds to force him back. The man could only do his best to block until an opportunity opened up, that opportunity being a strike from Valiant Heart that he deflected to his side. Having out so much force on the strike were the pony following with the momentum, her side to Nathaniel as he rose his blade.
Nate hit her side hard with a downward slash, the blade hitting a dark barrier just above her fur that turned red and she was sent into the guardrail with a groan. The green eyed teen had done it! He had defeated his instructor in armed combat and only gotten a few injuries!
"It seems Guardian Sol wins!" Proclaimed Luna, standing next to the captain holding onto the helm.
With the princess declaring Nathan the winner of the fight could he only slowly grin, finally having used his combat skills to defeat someone. The hoofs stomping onto the wooden deck was also an encouragement, the crew having accepted his presence enough to cheer for him. Even Valiant Heart stomped her hooves, a small grin on her muzzle as she held her side.
The blue barrier that had protected them both from deadly injuries had been conjured up by Luna, deciding to let Nathaniel fight like his life depended on it. It had been a successful test of the spell, the blue barrier only being seen once hit and glowing red or yellow to showcase a deadly respective non-deadly wound. It had not been easy for the princess to focus the spell with how much the two combatants had moved around but in the end has she succeeded.
"Good job recruit! Next time I will not go easy on you, and I will make sure you understand the importance of a good defense" Valiant said and walked down to the crew quarters through the main hatch to wash off.
Nathaniel was happy as Rose and Osiris approached him, the scout grinning and handing him a bottle of liquor. The bottle itself was a dark green, its content being a milky white and it smelled like wine. The brand on the bottle was that of a brain on fire, the name Brain Wipe below it. The two ponies seemed overly proud to have gotten a hold of the damn thing.
"What's this? A victory toast?" He asked with a chuckle and took the Brain Wipe from the golden furred stallion.
"Not really, it's so you can handle your reward" Osiris grinned and suddenly could Nathaniel feel two different lips on his cheeks, the sanguine and alicorn had snucked up behind him.
The shock from the sudden kiss made him jump back with a yelp, Osiris laughing loudly along with Rose while Luna giggled at his attempt to get away. It had happened so suddenly that the man's brain needed a second to process what had occurred. Once his brain functioned properly again started the human to chug the bottle of liquor, Osiris and Rose laughing even more at him.
The crew's reaction were mostly the same to Rose's and Osiris's reaction, having a good laugh at the blushing and surprised human. Up in the Crow's Nest could Nate hear laughter as well if he listened closely, the scouts up in the main mast having the most fun they'd in days.
"Surely an innocent kiss shouldn't be much for a guardian Nate?" Rose asked with a smirk, swiping the bottle from his hands and drinking from it quickly.
"Come on kid! What would be a better prize than a kiss from a princess and a great soldier?" The earth pony asked him with a grin, Nathaniel hurrying down the main hatch of the ship with a blush.
Once away from his teasing friends could Nathan breathe a sigh of relief, heading towards his quarters. As he opened the door to the small room could he see Blaze spread out across the bed on his back, his tongue hanging out from his mouth as the wolf snored. The young man could only chuckle at the wolf and pushed him to the side, Blaze curling up almost like a cat.
With his body seated on the bed could Nathaniel review the last few days in his head, from the moment he'd reappeared in the dragon's holy cave to when they headed for the Crystal Empire. The only thing that their remaining days in the Dragon Lands were used for was to study Valkyrie, the war-hammer he'd been granted by defeating the fear for his father Nathan didn't know were still inside him.
The weapon granted to him were apparently made from Sky Metal , the substance the Zebra king had told him about during his visit in Zebrika. Wherever it came from didn't really matter to him as the weapon was very light, like the zebras had also depicted. Many times had Nate been surprised by just how easy it was to carry and swing around the thing, the war-hammer not slowing him down in the slightest.
The weapon was also special for it being magical, carrying a strong enchantment Starswirl couldn't figure out. The only certain thing about Valkyrie was that it had been bound to the human, the rune on the both of the hammerhead's sides only glowing once Nathaniel touched it.
The weapons name was important too, bearing the name of the former female Dragon Lord. The weapon was the one having been depicted by the Zebras carvings, the one forged in Valkyrie's fire and formed with the help of Zebra King Orh, the first weapon of sky metal. Holding the thing was at time overwhelming considering its history and who helped make it, but it was also a sense of pride, knowing it had chosen him to wield it.
Yet even with all these great things about the war-hammer was there one thing that slowed down the joy of having a Sky Metal wielder as Luna's bodyguard. Nathaniel could not use it. Well, the human could pick it up and swing it, but as the two days of traveling passed quickly were it not much time for him to practice. So the weapon became more a symbol for the black haired teen, carrying it on his back with Luna's sword sheeted at his side.
When he was not carrying Valkyrie on his back were it with his teacher in magic, the old stallion studying the weapon closely to learn any new details on it and report it to Luna. Since the weapon was his however were Nathaniel given a written paper by the alicorn princess about his ownership of the grand war-hammer, Luna's horn writing being pretty beautiful in his eyes.
Before they had left with the weapon however had the man been stopped by the Dragon Lord, being surprised to hear the large creature pledge himself and his people to service Nathan in whatever he wanted. Having been scared to silence from the thought of the responsibility and seemingly taking over the leadership of an entire kingdom had Luna done the talking for him. It had been made so that the dragon's would come to his aid if needed, but only those willing and able.
As they had stepped onto the ship had the human suffered a mild panic attack about having the full force of the dragon kingdom suddenly thrust upon him, Luna being forced to calm with a spell and having a long conversation about why the Dragon Lord would want to do such a thing.
After he had told the princess about the importance of the mark to the dragons were she in deep thought for a long time. Only after six hours had she a response to the worship of the mark, that he should ignore what it meant for the time being. Her answer had been so surprising to the man he had chocked on their daily tea, Luna quickly explaining her line of reasoning.
"If that rune was made by our mother than it will take more than a week to research it and find out exactly what blessing it has granted you. But as we need to focus on this journey and your freedom first will efforts to understand the mark have to wait" Had been her words on the first day of their journey to the Crystal Empire.
While Luna's words did hold some wisdom to them, him having to following her because of his role, were he not sure about telling her King Fortem's words. Luna already seemed a bit cautious around him since finding out where he came from. Knowing he apparently held the power to shape the world would not bolster her faith in him, but then again she had kissed him, even if it was on the cheek and as a joke. By doing that had the princess showed him him a lot of trust and faith, a way to see they had grown a friendship. Did he not owe her the same trust?
With a sigh were the human brought out of his reminiscing as his door knocked. Closing his eyes the man could sense the pony on the other side of the door, the word Knowledge appearing in his head to describe the pony. Satisfied the young man opened his eyes and stood up, opening the door for Starswirl.
The old unicorn gave him a rised brow and a neutral expression that spoke of mild annoyance. The wizard most certainly had felt the human focus, and most likely felt Nate look upon his compiled being. Nathaniel didn't really care if he made the older stallion slightly annoyed however, rather having that then speaking with Osiris, Rose or Luna for a little while.
"You need to improve your manners my student, not many like to wait a few minutes for someone to open a door" The unicorn said.
"I'm sorry, I'm just avoiding my colleges for a few minutes" He responded and Starswirl shrugged.
"It matters not, as I have a need of you right now. I have more spells to teach you and want to see you use the weapon on intimate objects" The magic teacher told Nathan and moved down the hallway to his own study.
The older wizard had the largest room on the ship if one looked past Luna holding the captain's quarters. As the green eyed young man entered he could see Valkyrie on a table with several books around it, all of them containing different runes and explanations on their meaning. The mage were trying hard to uncover what secrets Faust had hidden in the weapon to make it bound to the rune.
The rest of the wizard's room were filled with bookshelves and one empty corner where a training dummy stood, a badly painted moon on its chest. The room's length were several meters as from both Nathaniel's left and right side did it go on for a good bit before stopping at a not so wide wall. The table with Valkyrie stood in the middle of the oblong room, almost like it was on some sort of pedestal of honor. The only other thing in Starswirl's room that stood out to the human was the shelf with potions and a cauldron at the bottom.
"Pick it up, I want to see you hit that training dummy" The grey coated unicorn said and pointed to the pony looking dummy.
The human nodded at his teacher and picked up the legendary weapon, holding Valkyrie's long handle with both his hands. Nathan then walked over to the training dummy Starswirl had set up in one of the corners, the thing made out of a sack and straw. At first he was uncertain about trying out the weapon in such a enclosed area but soon shrugged it off as unneeded caution. Why would a war-hammer do anything but hit something really hard? With that he leaned to his side, angled Valkyrie similarly to follow the momentum and swung the weapon at the training dummy.
The same second the weapon of sky metal hit the dummy were it sent flying back into the wall. The magical power Valkyrie had stored in itself had created a green shock-wave as it hit the fake pony, not only sending it backwards into the wall but also causing one of the bookshelves to topple over and hit the floor with a hard thud. The energy from Nathaniel's hit were also enough to send him flying, giving of a scream of shock before hitting the ground with a groan.
Starswirl looked at the scene in front of him in surprise, a white magical dome around him as protection. Once the mage was certain the danger was over he walked over to the human, looking at Nathaniel with a large smile. Nate could just wonder what about him laying on the ground in pain could cause such happiness for the old unicorn.
"It held so much more power than I could ever imagine! I will need to conduct further testing on it but thanks to you I now know how powerful it is!" Starswirl said and awfully quick for his age ran over to a bookshelf.
With the mage preoccupied could Nathan get up and look around the room, seeing some spell books on the floor by the fallen bookshelf. As Starswirl were speed reading through old tomes could the human easily pick up one of the books, seeing its title The Book of Fire . The name interested him and the green eyed teen flipped over to the first page, seeing a few simple spells for beginners of fire magic.
"Can I borrow this this sir?" He asked the wizard who waved him off with a mumbled 'yes', the older stallion being to into the book he was reading.
Satisfied with his visit Nathaniel left the room and headed back to his own quarters. On the way did he suddenly bump into one of the soldiers, the mare looking at him with distrust. She wore light blue armor like many of her fellow soldiers, her mane were a light pink and her coat held a brown colour. For a moment did they just stand there, the pony giving him a suspicious glare and clutching the spear she was holding even tighter.
"We heard a lot of commotion coming from the arch mage's quarters. What did you do?" She asked, her brown eyes never his own green ones.
"We experimented with the artifact recovered from the Dragonlands" He responded and soon she relaxed, giving him a nod.
"Carry on Guardian Sol" She said and walked off, heading down the corridor of doors and turning to the right at the end of it.
With the conversation out of the way could he finally get to his room, opening and closing the door behind him as he started to read through the book. It held some basic information for novices that he quickly skimmed through to get to the spells, seeing the first one being a simple way to light a candle.
Pusilli Ignis
The spell scholars use to light up their night. The flame of Pusilli Ignis is small but but strong enough to ward of the darkness in caves and libraries. Focus on a candle or lantern near you, allow your mana to carry the intent of warmth and light. Let these words form the flame of knowledge, the tiny flame all scholars has used through the ages to gain wisdom. Let these words become your companion in the deepest woods as the darkest dungeons. Let these words reach out, and ward of the darkness.
Having read the text Nathaniel went to work quickly, getting a candle from the storage area on the ship. Once he had acquired a candle the human returned to his room, sitting down on the floor and starting to meditate. All his focus went to the candle, the world he "saw" in his mediation being consumed by the intense focus he put to the candle.
"Pusilli Ignis" Nathaniel said while he focused his mana at the candle nothing happened.
"Pusilli. Ignis." He tried again, warmth spreading from the candle but nothing else occurring.
"Pusilli Ignis" Nate tried a third time, once again he could only "see" heat around the candle.
A knock on his door forced the young man to stop, getting up and opening the door. Osiris stood there and motioned for Nathan to follow him. The human did so, Blaze jumping of the teen's bed and slowly walking behind them. As they walked up to the deck through the main hatch could the man see why the scout had fetched him, looking upon the mountains and marvelous crystal city in the distance.
"Welcome to the Crystal Empire kid" The golden furren stallion said before walking over to Luna, the mare standing by the cabin doors.
"We're not here for conflict, remember that" The alicorn said to one of the soldiers who nodded, walking off to chat with his fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
"It's beautiful" Nate said to the princess and Luna nodded, her eyes stuck to the light blue barrier surrounding the dome.
"A beautiful place, holding the entirety of our northern border" She said and walked up the stairs to the reach the helm, getting a better look at the frozen north.
The human felt the freezing cold in the air, wishing he had brought his wolf fur cloak with him. The clothes he were currently wearing were made more for a hot climate then a cold one. The ponies on the ship seemed to feel the freezing temperatures as well, many of them getting cloaks and padded armor to ward of the winds. After a few seconds did the human force himself to get below deck and get some warmer clothes, walking into his room.
After switching into his warmer clothing set and getting his black cloak made from the fur of Blaze's pack leader. The cloak already warmed him, bringing a smile to his face as he warded of the cold. The human pulled the wolf-head hood over his head and woke up his canine companion, the wolf sleepily jumping off the bed and following him above deck.
Once Nathaniel returned to the main deck, had the princess of the night changed into a dark blue cloak with some light armor being seen underneath. The air were filled with tension as The Golden Stallion pulled into the harbor near the Crystal Empire. The guards that waited for them at the dock were almost see through, reflecting the light around them and sparkling. They reminded him of gems.
"Crystal Ponies" Rose said, the mare suddenly next to him dressed in black light armor with splashes of red spread out in its design.
"Are they actually made out of the stuff or?.." He asked her and she gave him a small smirk.
"Of course not, but their skin and fur have absorbed the magic of the crystal heart. The crystal heart being the power source behind that magical dome" The sanguine mare said and flicked her eyes to wooden platform being placed between the ship and the harbor as they let down their anchor.
"And this place only recently became independent right?" Nathan asked his fellow guardaian who nodded.
"During the Discord crises The Crystal Empire just declared its Independence, cutting us off from the gem mines and trade routes going through their land. Celestia sent the Lord Protector there to observe what was going on in the Crystal Empire, as it is ruled by a prince of another nation can she not just send troops there, it would anger King Crystal Sword's mother" The mare answered.
"Who's his mother then? If Celestia fear it would lead to war to reclaim the land?" The teen asked her, Rose giving him a look of surprise.
"I'd expected that you would have been briefed, but I guess Luna has been a bit busy" Rose answered and cleared her throat.
"The great empress of the Dark Kingdom herself sired the now king of the Crystal Empire, bestowing him with her natural talent for magic and leadership!" She said with a loud clear voice, sounding like she had heard it hundreds of times.
"I assume you have heard that a few times" He chuckled and Rose smiled.
"Trust me, that is the short version. My instructor was so proud when he heard that the Dark Kingdom now held a direct ally north of Equestria" The sanguine said with an annoyed tone and demeanor.
"Guardians, I want you to follow me" Luna's voice suddenly said and the two headed over to the wooden platform where the princess stood.
"Do not threaten, do not attack and for the love of Faust don't disrespect the King" Luna said, adding the last part for Nathan.
Once the orders had been set they walked off the ship, being greeted by ten guards who would escort them to the large city in the distance. Almost all the guards that had been on the Golden Stallion followed with them, making the ponies (and human) walking off the ship a group of thirty-five. The crystal pony guards showed them the way towards the capital of the new kingdom, the crest of a blue crystal sword sown into their cloaks.
The walk to the city took some time, the wind almost toppling over many of the Lunar guards who were not used to such weather. Nathaniel found the snow and cold pretty, the snowflakes hitting his face and melting to small droplets of water that resembled tears. After a while had all of them, including Luna, snow stuck to their clothes. The white cold substance being the worst for Blaze who snarled and shook him fur time and time again to get rid of it but never truly succeeding.
After about ten minutes of walking were they forced to stop, the mages of the group using magic to warm their companions and temporarily getting rid of the snow stuck to their clothes. Once the human asked Luna why they didn't walk the whole way with a shield did she only comment that the snow and ice broke focus to maintain such a spell for long. After trying for a few times himself did Nathaniel finally give up at creating a barrier against the snow. It was like tiny hooks of ice burrowed themselves into his mind and prevented him from focusing for more than a few seconds.
Once they reached the outskirts of the Crystal Empire could the man see the large dome at close range, the thing seemingly keeping warmth for the ponies inside. The shield itself were see through, allowing the group to admire the crystal spires and buildings of the city as they approached. Yet once they walked into the dome was it like they had arrived in a new world, the air warm and filled with the sounds of different voices.
The Crystal Empire was unlike anything else Nathaniel had seen on Eques, the crystal pillars of the castle reaching up towards the sky and the building reflecting the light seemingly produced by the city. The dome itself seemed to gain power from the main tower of the castle, the top of it touching the blue shield.
With the cold finally gone could the human focus once more, the hooks of ice that had seemingly tried to break into his mind were gone and to make sure Nate created a shield around himself. After making sure the green dome worked he let go of the spell, following his friends down the main street of the city. Crystal buildings were all around them, some being shops for clothes and the others being homes for the crystal ponies. ¨
The Crystal Empire's inhabitants had mixed reactions to the human, many of them covering in fear and backing away while others stood there with curiosity in their eyes. It was the guards however that made the black haired teen feel the most uncomfortable, their eyes in a constant glare. It felt like the protectors of the city were just waiting for a sign of some kind, their forelegs and wings gripping their spears tightly. He wondered why it felt like the entire city had awaited his arrival.
Celestia's POV
"What do you mean destroyed?" I asked the messenger, having risen from my white marble throne and walked down to the smaller stallion.
"W-What I just said your Majesty, the kingdom of the changelings is no more" He told me, his yellow eyes meeting my purple ones with slight fear.
The news had come from nowhere. One second I was reading through a tax report and in the next I'm being told the Queen Mother of the changelings and her hive had been destroyed. There was little no information from survivors except all having heard a terrifying metallic groan from the sky. The few changelings that had made it to Equestria had told my highest commanders about the destruction, how all the hives had all been standing before suddenly all were burning husks.
"How many survivors?" I slowly asked my personal messenger, reading over the report given to me.
"We're not sure Your Majesty. The ones who passed the border were just drones, and it was only around one hundred of them. They said that they didn't know if any of the Sub-Queens survived, if they did then they have most likely fled south, towards the Dark Kingdom and the mutants" He told me and I slowly nodded, a grim look upon my face.
"Leave me" I said after a few moments, the guard and messenger saluting before leaving the throne room.
It was a hard thing to grasp, how an entire nation had been wiped clean of the map. I couldn't quit phantom it, how the nation of spies had been toppled in a day. There had been no signs of any other creature in the area than changelings that day, my own spies in the country having reported nothing strange the day of the attack, unless one counted clouds as strange. I closed my eyes and sighed, my soldiers near the nation having not sent any reports since that day.
Something was happening in the world, with the best spy network upon Eques destroyed and an ally lost could I only look out one of the windows, the snow piling up on the trees of the Everfree. With no signs of any enemy having attacked could I see the destruction of the nation as an accident? But what sort of spell would have been powerful enough to almost wipe the changelings!? The more I thought about it the more frustrated I became, looking to the clouds over me and my sisters castle.
"So close to the truth princess, can't you see what's in front of you?" His dark voice called out in my mind, a cuckle following Discord's claim.
His voice had made me jump and shiver at the same time, the presence of his mind gone once again just as quickly as it appeared. What did the he know? What was so obvious for the God of Chaos that I could not see? There had never been a weapon powerful enough to wipe out a kingdom in a day, but if not a weapon had wiped out the changelings the what had?
I could only sigh and send orders to let refugees into the country, the drones and warriors left from the hives needing a place where they could be safe. More questioning had to be conducted and squads had to be sent into the main hive for search and rescue. I could only look to the north and pray upon our mother's wings that Luna were safe, that the human and the guardians she had chosen would do well. I looked out over the frozen landscape a long time after that, the statue of Discord in the garden still being protected by the heat spell. If I didn't know better I would say that he was grinning.
Sombar's POV
So the human had finally come. I knew my idiot son could not keep him away forever, Luna having already been granted permission to discuss the borders with Crystal. I felt my anger over what the human had cost me grow, having reduced me to a stallion covering in some damn study room instead of the Grand Commander over the Equestrian Army. But soon I would hold the power to act, the only thing left that could hinder my plans being that damn crystal heart.
I had waited for a long time to get it out of the way, slowly building knowledge and power. My knowledge of anatomy had increased as well with my experiments on young Silver Page, the succubus maid currently slowly licking my hoof with half lidded eyes. I had enjoyed starving her for a few days, the mare becoming more and more desperate for my lust as her carnal hunger grew larger. I had given her permission for some foreplay, the succubus being more sensual in her movements than a filly in heat.
Our erotic moments were always a stress reliever for me, allowing me to focus on mortal pleasures instead of my work. What I always found extra exciting was when her new instincts took over completely, the shy little maid taking over the control in the bedroom and feeding upon my lust. I also enjoyed how she curled up in a corner afterwards, hating herself for the deed. It fueled my desire for power and to make all bow before my might. With the power I had gathered would no one stand in my way, I would reach immortality and become like a god for all these peasants. I would harness the power of the crystal heart and conquer all of Equestria, I would finally achieve my goal, becoming a king.
I suddenly gave off a groan as the succubus maid's tongue traveled down to my member, her black mane starting to bob up and down. Immortal deeds could wait, mortal pleasures just felt so nice during moments like these.
Nathaniel's POV
The young man would at times question if he had offended someone in the Crystal Empire from all the angry looks and scowls he got as he walked past. The guards were still creepy and acted weird around him, some of them even spitting as he walked past. Luna took notice of this and ushered Nathaniel closer to her side, the alicorn growing also weary.
Something was wrong, that much was clear to Nathaniel but he could not say why. The citizens seemed relatively calm and the escort that had been sent for them kept on leading them to the castle, but even as they got closer to the most secure building in the empire couldn't Nathan help but feel watched from the shadows, his hand resting on the handle of his sword.
"I didn't expect our visit be seen in a good light, but the hostility feels off. Be ready and have your weapons near you at all times" Luna said quietly, the human and his pony friends nodding.
Once they reached the castle gates, the guards on either side slowly opening the two doors, were the tension among the party of soldiers high. The captain of the Lunar Guard walked closely behind Luna, his eyes scanning the sky for potential threats. Once they walked into the crystal castle could the young human see a strange blue heart in the middle of a ring under the castle. it was spinning and held up by two blue crystal spikes, one coming from the roof and one coming from the ground.
Figuring it was the relic the princess had talked about he closed his eyes and focused on it, only to jump back. It had been like looking into the sun, both the message and magical energy being overwhelming to focus on for more than a few seconds. Yet he had still seen what word best described the relic, that being 'conviction'. Before Nate followed the others into the castle could he suddenly hear many angry voices in the distance, almost like a mob. But with Luna soon calling for him could he only look back at the city before running into the castle.
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I gave a off a loud yell of determination and swirled my spear around my head. The sharp weapon hit its mark and throats of the attackers were slit, the four shapes of ink and anger that had been around me falling to the floor. I panted lightly as they faded, holding the Spear of Arx close with my right wing. We were supposed to have been in the Crystal Empire hours before Princess Luna arrived from the Dragonlands. But our camp just outside the empire had been attacked, leading to me and my squad running for our lives.
Normally I could try to dispatch our foes using the magic of our mages. But with the snowstorm could not one of the unicorns focus, leading to chaos as the ponies of ink attacked. They killed two scouts and knocked out Commander Violet Shield before we had time to react, leading to a quick retreat down the icy hills of the frozen north. I had ordered them all to run for the empire, giving them time to get Commander Shield. I used the spear granted to me by the previous Lord Protector and I held back the monsters, each strike that hit them leaving a small blue shock-wave.
The ink ponies had outnumbered us at first, their numbers making us all see death around the corner. But soon we realized they were easily killed, falling to a few hits. What made them dangerous were their numbers, coming at us again and again. Once we finally were close to the dome had we cut down at least two thirds of their numbers, but we had lost five ponies along the way. They had been impaled by the dark crystal like spears the ink ponies threw, the weapons seemingly being created in their hooves from nothing.
We had started out as a group of twelve, but now only five remained. Minted Surprise, the youngest in the squadron, were dragging Commander Shield on a sled towards the barrier around the city. He'd been the only one allowed inside by King Sword and returned with glossy eyes. He'd said Fury was to remain in the Empire per request by his son who needed his help. Something had been off with the private ever since he returned, speaking to the air and his ears flicking like he was hearing noises. It had stopped just before the attack however, Minted having grabbed his weapon and watched the hills closely.
Something happened in the Crystal Empire, something that had made the young private weary and strange. Minted Surprise had even told me that the King would accept an audience about the matter on Fury's return but once the request was sent had there been no response. Because of the heavy guard presence around the dome's interior couldn't we sneak inside either, leaving us at our camp outside the Empire.
But our camping sight was meant to be unknown, secure. How had all these damn things found us in the middle of a snowstorm and with our campfires hidden. The more I thought about it as I ran the more was treason suspected, but by who? Minted Surprise had no motives but had acted strange before the attack.
I growled and slammed the butt of the spear into the ground, creating a shock-wave that sent back the inky black ponies chasing after us. Celestia's orders had been clear, protect Luna at all costs. But if I couldn't even trust my own squadron then who could I trust? Those thoughts were forced to wait, the private finally dragging the Commander into the shield with the local guards looking at the approaching creatures with fear. I decided to run for it, following my two other squad mates who were suddenly cut down, dark spears raining from the sky.
I didn't have time to check if they were alive or not, I simply dragged their bodies over the last few meters to the shield and threw them inside. With the last of my strength I used my wings and tossed myself through the blue barrier, the ink ponies that had followed us slammed into it and turned into dust. I panted and laid down on my side, the crystal guards running around in a panic. I could vaguely make out the sounds of screams further away.
"What in Tartarus is going on?.." I mumbled before blacking out, the warm ground just so cozy on my frozen body.
Nathaniel's POV
Nathan followed Luna and their escort down the crystal hallway, the two doors at the end seemingly leading to the throne room. The human had felt like he was being watched the entire time since they entered the Crystal Empire, but that feeling had never been so strong as when they entered the castle. All the guards scowled at him and as they passed a window could he see ponies gathering outside the castle. What was going on here?
The question got even more valid as they were suddenly asked to stop and their escort walked up to the two doors, heading inside and closing the doors behind them. Whatever was going on couldn't be good, it felt like they had walked into a damn fox den. Nathaniel couldn't help but to sit down in a lotus position and meditate, Rose giving him an odd look but soon returning her gaze to the two doors.
He could sense all the ponies around him, all of them there to protect Luna and serve their country. Yet if he focused hard enough could Nathaniel sense the ponies in the room beyond the doors, one standing out in particular, one that spoke of 'leadership'. The young man assumed that had to be the king, but soon that fact didn't really matter as Nate could feel just how many ponies were in there.
"Osiris. Rose. Draw your weapons" The teen said as he stood back up, looking to the doors.
The Lunar princess had done the same procedure as her human guardian, her years of training allowing her to sense other without even closing her eyes. She gave a nod at Nathaniel's order and every pony in the group got ready, Rose taking out some throwing knives while Osiris grabbed a dagger with his mouth. After making sure that everyone was ready did the Alicorn move towards the doors, a butler suddenly opening them.
"Welcome your Highness, King Crystal Sword will see you now" The stallion said and moved to the side.
Luna moved slowly into the room, flanked by her entourage of guardians and guards. The throne room were filled with crystal guards their glossy eyes making Nathan shudder. Something had gone wrong long before they arrived, which was made more clear by the protests going on outside the castle. Many crystal ponies screamed in anger at the building, the human thinking that it all seemed like it was reaching a breaking point.
"So you are the creature my father spoke of. The creature that stole the princess's mind" A smooth voice called out over the room.
The green eyed young man looked towards the end of the long room, a pony sitting upon a throne there. His red mane reminded Nathaniel about Major Fury while his white coat and purple eyes was so far from the Major one could come. However what stood out about the stallion was his black curved horn and the blue haze that flowed from his eyes, making him look like a pretty powerful mage.
"Stole her mind? Are you mad?" He asked the King of the Crystal Empire with a growl and held onto his sword even tighter.
"Thou speakth nonsense King of Crystals! Why would thee think our mind was not our own!" Luna demanded, her eyes glowing softly.
"It seems my father was correct, the human has taken control of the royal sisters without them noticing it.." Crystal Sword muttered and stood up, summoning a sword from blue crystal.
"Then so be it. If your destruction is needed for peace then I wi.." He started only for a large explosion to rock the castle.
All the ponies stumbled and the butler came running from behind Luna's guards. His eyes were wide and filled with disbelief. The explosion had caused Nathaniel to loose his sword, the blade laying a few meters in front of him. Not wanting to loose it the man ran for it and picked it up, the butler suddenly started screaming.
"The citizens have blown up one of the castle entrances! They said you have crafted laws that will impose slavery!" The scared servant said, everyone in the room looking at him in disbelief.
"What?" Was all the king could ask before screams could suddenly be heard from down the corridor Nathaniel and his companions had walked down moments before.
The corridor quickly filled up with angry crystal ponies charging down towards them, Osiris looking at them in fear while Rose growled and forced the soldiers back. Luna's horn lit up and her scythe appeared by her side, the princess swirling it before holding it sideways over her right shoulder.
"Protect the princess!" Rose called out, pulling Luna further back as Osiris and Blaze quickly followed.
"For the king!" The crystal guards called and formed a line of defence.
Nathaniel didn't have time to react before the wave of angry crystal ponies smashed right into him. The ponies poured into the throne room, wielding everything from pickaxes to scythes. Nathan could only block and deflect as many blow as possible before he was forced to back off, the crystal ponies trying their damn best to kill everything in their path.
The crystal guards were not trying to kill any of the civilians that had burst into the room, sending neutralizing spells out over the room to knock them out. For the man it was all chaos, a slash there, a dodge there. No matter where he tried to go it was blocked by ponies fighting and screaming, making him finally so angry and afraid that he shot blasts of magic into the crowd, sending ponies flying in an attempt to get to Luna.
His attacks were interrupted by a mare suddenly giving a good kick to his stomach, sending the human backwards, right through a window. Nathaniel only heard Rose calling his name in fear before he was falling, creating a shield just before he hit the ground. The impact hurt, shield or no shield, and he screamed out in pain as his body hit the crystal floor. The impact caused the shield to shatter like glass, magical shards spreading over the ground before dissipating.
Nate's sight was blurry for a second before the pale skinned teen got up, noticing that a pony was next to him. The stallion was the spitting image of Major Fury, except for the black mane, gray fur and red curved horn. The stallion had ripped the crystal heart from its resting place, holding the powerful relic within his magical grasp. The blue glow of the crystal heart slowly turned a sinister black, the shield around the city disappearing.
"I've long awaited this moment. For you to suffer, to see just how much pain a creature can feel before death" Sombra said, his red eyes looking into Nathaniel's green ones with mirth.
"I don't fear yo.." The human started and held up his blade only for a large crystal spike to grow out of the ground and impale him.
Nathan screamed in pain as the spike grew at a quick speed and hit one of the four pillars that carried the castle above them. The young man had dropped his blade and held his hands on the spike, blood trailing down it. The pain was unbearable, the teen whimpering and crying out for help. The only thing he saw were Sombra slowly being elevated to his height using a crystal platform, the spike having carried Nathaniel up several meters into the air.
"I hope you'll enjoy these moments Guardian Sol, because they will be your last" The dark mage cackled, his eyes reflecting the Crystal Empire now set ablaze and covered in snow.
"And so, my reign has begun" Sombra said, laughing even louder as screams of fear spread over the Crystal Empire, everyone crying out for hope that everybody knew wouldn't come.
Author's Note
Annnnnnndddddddddd cliffhanger! Sorry I just couldn't resist XD
I hope you really enjoyed the chapter and that you'll leave some feedback in the comments, I love reading your thoughts on the story and I want to know if you like the beginning of the crystal empire arc.
Have a great day guys
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Chapter Thirteen: The angel and the city that burned
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I woke up with a groan, slowly getting up from the ground and looking around. I couldn't see private Surprise or Commander Shield, both of them gone. The two squad members I had dragged into the Crystal Empire were by one of small guard outpost a few meters to my left, one of them tending to the other's wounds. I made my way towards them as fast as I could while my eyes scanned the rest of the empire. The shield was gone, snow piling up around me as I walked. The city itself was on fire, smoke rising towards the cloudy sky.
"Report" I stated simply and laid down with a huff next to my comrades, the two unicorns visibly injured but had used magic to heal the most severe wounds.
"The commander and private set out after Princess Luna my Lord. We had enough time to bring ourselves back from the brink, but the shield just disappeared, so healing spells are harder to do" Scout Spectral Vision said and tended to lieutenant Broken Orchid.
The two unicorns had been both the healers and magic experts of our squad, being tasked with putting up wards or dispelling hostile magic. Spectral had served with me for over three years, the stallion having helped the inhabitants of Equestria during the Discord Crisis with his wast knowledge of theoretical magic. Broken Orchid had been our newest member not counting Minted Surprise, the mare having wast knowledge of combat magic and potion making.
Spectral had a very pale white mane that reached his knees, his purple coat and purple eyes making him truly stand out in the snow. His purple eyes held a splash of white within them, giving his irises a ghost like appearance. The cutiemark resting on his flanks was that of an eye made out of smoke. I had always found his ability to notice things others couldn't as useful, if not a bit intrusive at times.
Broken Orchid had a red mane and tail, inherited by her father Second Lieutenant Fury. The grey coat she carried and talent with potions had apparently been carried down from her great grandmother, her cutiemark that of a cauldron with a dead orchid growing out of it. The mare had grown distant with the former major years ago, enlisting for the special forces to get away from her father's anger. Being the sister to the Crystal King was meant to be our ticket into the Empire, but with Fury in the castle had she refused to contact her brother.
"Use this guard outpost as shelter. The walls should allow you to focus more easily, which should speed up your healing" I said and looked for my spear, the weapon nowhere to be found.
"We will Lord Protector, but even with more spells is it unlikely that we'll join the fighting. Those crystal weapons damaged us pretty badly, took out most of the squad, sir" Scout Vision said and opened up the door to the very small house, dragging a moaning Orchid inside.
The mare seemed to suffer from some sort of fever, but as she opened her eyes could I see it was much worse than that. Broken Orchid looked like she had bloodshot eyes, but instead of red could I see an almost pulsating black. Corruption were moving in her veins, the poor mage desperately fighting against it.
"By the gods.. Sir, I need to get lieutenant Orchid to a professional. I cannot use any spells that eradicates the effects of dark magic, I am not Celestia" The stallion said and looked at me with pleading eyes.
I looked over the city, screams of anger and terror coming from its ponies. The castle were turning a dark red, as did the once blue crystal ground that the buildings of the Crystal Empire rested on. The fire and snow created such a horrifically beautiful contrast, like death and life dancing together. Could I really send Spectral Vision away? I would need as many soldiers as possible to protect the princess in this burning Tartarus of a place.
"Silver! She needs the medical attention now! If not she'll die!" Spectral yelled, his voice filled with fear.
How had everything gone bad so quickly? This was supposed to be a normal political meeting, not a damn civil war! My mind raced as I looked to the two soldiers, Broken Orchid shuddering and moaning in pain. I had to decide quickly and I needed to find my spear.
"Where is the spear of Arx?" I asked, an explosion ringing out from another part of the castle.
"Commander Violet Shield took it, as you wouldn't wake up. She needed something to get through the crowds" The stallion said and I swore loudly.
"We have a mission Scout Vision. We're here to protect the princess no matter what, that includes corruption running through ones veins" I said, his friends eyes widening.
"We will not leave her here to die!" He said to me and stood over Broken Orchid's body, the mare giving me a tired look.
"Do what what you can for her, close the door to keep her warm. After that we will move into the city and find the princess, with our without my spear. If we make it back then I'll ask the princess myself to heal her, but we all know every mission might be our last. You will leave her, that is an order" I said firmly, my mind at war over the decision.
"We don't sacrifice lives!" Spectral shouted and I moved closer to stand face to face with him, growling at the younger stallion.
"If I am forced to choose between the princess and a soldier then I will chose Luna. I have a duty to protect her at all costs, an oath you also took by signing up to the army. But you can turn around, ignore my order and drag Orchid to the ship the princess arrived with. On that ship they should have a healer and a medical ward, but know by doing this that you'll be betraying your monarch, for which the punishment is death" I stated coldly, glaring at the scout who looked ready to attack me.
For a second I believed Spectral would betray the throne, but slowly all light left his eyes, he grew stiff and his voice carried a cold tone. It was as if a bit of him had died and what was left forced itself to keep going, something I recognized all to well from the eyes of veterans.
"As you wish Lord Protector" The stallion said and turned back to Orchid, the mare whimpering in pain.
I closed my eyes and gave of a quiet sigh, the prospect of leaving a fellow soldier to die didn't sit well with me. But I had taken an oath, one I would keep. I opened my eyes to see Spectral whisper something to Orchid before he painted a rune on her body, the mare stopped shivering but the sweat forming on her didn't slow down.
"The rune will keep the corruption at bay for a while, but after that will nothing stand in its way" The scout said as he passed me, closing the door to the small guard hut with magic.
I simply nodded and quickly hurried towards the city with Spectral, seeing the fires in some parts of the city having been out out. But the sounds of fighting only grew larger as we got closer, passing charred crystal buildings and crystal ponies huddling together for warmth. Everything was chaos, the citizens were running around in terror as black crystals spread over the once beautiful city and the crystal guard were running around with glowing yellow eyes. The guards seemed to be more keen on scaring away everyone trying to put out the flames than actually trying to stop the civil war happening around the castle.
I could only hope the princess had made it out safely, the sounds of fighting echoing all around us as we made it to the castle grounds. I could see the crystal guards fighting each other, the citizens and those damn ink ponies that had attacked us. Spectral pointed to several crystal ponies showing signs of corruption, too many for me to phantom. Whatever had happened were responsible for a lot of destruction, but I could not see any true leader for either side, it was all a blur.
"Catch!" I heard a voice yell and out of pure reflex I held out my wing, catching the Spear of Arx.
The weapon had not returned a moment too soon either, a peasant with a pickaxe appearing in front of me and swinging it towards my head. I held up my weapon that caught the pickaxe mid swing, allowing me to headbutt the mare attacking me. She fell unconscious to the floor and commander Violet Shield ran up to my side, private Minted Surprise following quickly behind.
"Where is the princess?" I asked, Spectral Vision suddenly shooting a blast of magic onto a large stallion coming towards us.
"We don't know sir. Last time she was seen were before she entered the castle" Violet responded and I cursed loudly.
"Find her at all costs, if the princess dies then rest of Equestria might follow" I said, suddenly ducking from the blow of an axe.
"And gather what Lunar soldiers you can find! We need backup!" I yelled, quickly starting to send crystal ponies flying with the magical capabilities of my spear, blue shock-waves lighting up the battle in the deep snow.
Nathaniel's POV
He gasped for air as the magical grip around his throat tightened. The human had been stuck to the crystal pillar for over a minute, the blood pouring from his impaled stomach dripping down to the crystal floor below. Fury or whatever he wanted to be called had been slowly chocking him since they came eye to eye, his mind sluggish from pain and lack of oxygen.
Would this be how Nathan died? He didn't want to die, he'd barely lived. He had never had sex, never owned his own house, never fallen in love and he hadn't even punched Celestia in the face. The young man didn't want this to be the end, he didn't want to go. With what strength he had left he reached out his right hand, raising his head shakily to look the dark mage in the eyes.
"Any last words "Guardian" Sol?" The grey furred stallion asked with a grin as the crystal spike in his stomach grew hot like fire, making Nathan scream out in pain and throw back his head.
The man coughed out words, trying to remember them with the burning pain in his stomach and the cold creeping in over the city. Finally he growled and looked the former Major in the eyes again, the words were so simple to remember once the anger overpowered the pain.
"Solaris Mico!" He yelled and poured as much energy into the spell as possible, a great light hitting the dark mage.
The stallion screamed in pain and fell of the crystal pillar he had been standing on, his face looking horrible burnt from a spell that was only meant to blind. Nathaniel felt like he would pass out before suddenly the crystal spike shattered, his body falling towards the floor. It was like Nate was there, but at the same time not. He felt like he was falling, but like he was watching it happen from far away at the same time.
Suddenly it felt like something caught him, like he landed in a great pillow. His eyes fluttered open to see the horrified and worried face of Rose and angry scowl of Luna. The wound in his stomach stopped hurting as bad, yet it still stung like all hell. He could vaguely make out Luna screaming in anger and hatred at someone while Rose and Osiris asked him to stand. Why would he want to stand up? The ground was just so warm and cozy..
The sudden lick to his face made him focus his eyes again, seeing a whining Blaze push his snout in Nathaniel's side. After more prodding from his friends did the man finally sit up, leaning his back against the crystal pillar as Osiris started to wrap a bandage around the human's midsection. The green eyed teen could only look in front of him however, seeing Luna stand protectively in front of him with her scythe in her magical grip.
"Nate, you need to stand ok?" Rose Said and got under his arm, Blaze doing the same thing for his other arm.
With the help from the sanguine and wolf could the human get up, supporting his arms on their backs. Once he finally stood could he see the dark mage further away from them, holding the crystal heart in a magical grasp. Red crystal dust swirled around the former major and it slowly formed into a scythe of his own.
"You will die for this Fury" Luna growled and spread her wings, prowling like an angry cat towards the traitor.
"My name is Sombra, I am above the pathetic excuse of a pony Fury was!" The self proclaimed ruler growled back and swirled his new weapon.
Sombra's face held horrible burns, his eyes bloodshot and almost white. The spell had seemed to hold more power in it than the human had intended. The spell Nathaniel had cast seemed to have also peeled away the fur and skin from the dark mage's body, but instead of exposed flesh there was now red crystal beneath his skin, like some sort of disease.
"The heart.." Nathan mumbled to his companions, pointing to the artifact Sombra held.
Before the young man could say anything else had Luna jumped Sombra, using her wings to gain altitude before using gravity to deliver a powerful downward strike. The princess's scythe didn't even come close to touching the unicorn, her body and weapon suddenly frozen in mid air. A thin glowing red layer of magic kept the alicorn from moving, Sombra grinning before sendng a large blast of mana into the mare's chest.
"Princess!" Rose called out, running to join the battle.
Osiris gave Nathan's wound a look before running off to help their monarch fight the dark mage, only Blaze remaining by the injured human's side. The earth pony and sanguine rushed towards Luna as she hit the floor, sliding a few meters before coming to a stop. The princess got up and spit some blood onto the red crystal floor, the black haired teen noticing how everything around them were changing colour.
"You cannot kill me! With the crystal heart am I the most powerful creature in existence! You will all bow before my might or die!" Sombra called out, a sudden explosion coming from the castle.
With a determined growl did the human rush towards his sword, the blade laying to his right. But before he could reach it were he hit by a burning blast of magic, being sent rolling across the floor with a yell of pain. Sombra only grinned as the crystal heart started to spinn, the relic shooting out more blasts of magic.
Rose flew up into the air to avoid the hostile spell, ducking under the blasts and throwing knives towards the dark mage. The bat pony's weapons simply hit a red barrier raised by Sombra, the heart feeding him more and more energy. Osiris dodged the blasts much like his flying comrade but instead of keeping himself at a distance the scout ran up to the former major. Being so close to Sombra allowed the golden furred stallion to swing his dagger at the unicorn, the weapon quickly blocked by Sombra's red crystal scythe.
In a few seconds had Rose been hit, falling out of the sky and hitting the ground with a grunt. Osiris were pushed back and sent flying with a another blast of magic, hitting the floor an angry growl. Luna deflected each blast sent her way with her own weapon, the princess teal eyes filled with rage as she moved closer and closer to Sombra. Once the two powerful magic users were close enough did the true fight start, the flurry of strikes they sent at each other creating spraks that danced on the crystal floor.
The human got up from the ground and looked to the two fighting, slowly crawling towards his sword and grabbing it. Once he had the weapon Nathaniel stood up and ran for Sombra, his wound hurting like never before but he didn't care, simply wanting to hurt the dark mage. Once the green eyed man were close enough he raised his sword above his head and slashed down against Sombra, hitting the unicorn's scythe.
The distraction was enough for Luna to get in a good slash on the dark mage's neck and face, making him scream out in pain and stagger backwards. The unicorn were suddenly sent skidding across the floor by a howling grey wolf, Blaze clawing and biting at his face and body. The wolf manged to expose more of the crystal hiding under the dark mage's skin before a shock-wave of magic sent Blaze flying.
"Blaze!" Nathan cried out in fear and ran towards the downed wolf as Luna advanced on Sombra.
The alicorn raised her scythe over her head for a final strike only for a horrible sound to echo over the crystal heart sanctuary, a sound alike to metal being twisted. In his magical grasp Sombra held a sword handle from which a blade made from black smoke protruded. The activation of the thing had caused the sound, yet it was not the weapon itself that scared the human, it was that it had been burried into Luna's chest.
"Luna!" He yelled and looked in horror as the alicorn drew raspy breaths, her eyes glazed over.
Blaze whined in pain and tried to stand but couldn't, looking on along with his owner as Sombra slowly drew the sword out of the princess's chest. There was no visible wound, but seeing Luna drop her scythe and fall to her side were enough to show that the sword could harm.
Grinning like he was mad Sombra rose, looking into Luna's eyes that showed clear signs of corruption. The dark mage picked up his scythe and looked at all the guardians, Rose having gotten up by was to dizzy to move, Osiris laying on his side and spitting up blood, Blaze whimpering in pain and Nathaniel holding his wound as blood soaked through the bandages.
"Look upon your failure Guardians of the night! Look upon my might as I kill who you were meant to protect!" Sombra called out and rose his scythe over his head.
Nathaniel tried to summon his magic to cast the Solaris Mico spell once more, but the snow and cold had entered even the deepest parts of the Crystal Empire, making spell casting almost impossible for him. He could only watch in horror as the scythe was brought down towards the shuddering princess, his mind screaming at him to move but his body finally collapsing from the blood loss.
Just before the dark mage's weapon hit the alicorn however were he sent flying backwards by a torrent of blue crystals, the rightful king of the Crystal Empire walking into the sanctuary with the battle between the crystal guards and citizens following behind him. The red maned stallion growled and summoned a blue crystal sword from the ground itself, swirling it as if to test how quickly it could tear flesh apart.
"Father! Why have you done this you damn fucking traitor!" Crystal Sword yelled to Sombra, the older stallion only grinning at his son.
"You are to weak to lead this kingdom. Your weakness would become the downfall of the Crystal Empire, so I have relived it from your duty. Now, either you bow or you will join your mother in the dirt!" The grey furred unicorn yelled at the king who yelled out in rage, running for Sombra.
The crystal heart stopped spinning as King Sword came closer, turning blue once more and sending a bolt of light into the dark mage's side. Sombra screamed in pain as his fur seemingly caught on fire from the heart's magic, the purple flames moving over his body. Crystal Heart used the distraction to stab his sword right into his father's chest, the fire pouring into the wound and making the dark mage scream even louder.
The fire seemed to peel away Sombra's skin, slowly revealing how all that was left of him were a pony made out of crystal. His eyes didn't change however, still filled with hatred as he headbutted Crystal Sword. The younger stallion were forced to back off and pull out his sword, scowling at Sombra.
As father and son fought could the human only crawl to Luna, seeing her eyes flick to him. The black veins within them almost seemed to pulsate and drain her. The mare coughed up a black tar like liquid and looked to the pony made out of red crystal, seeing him once again activate the blade made out of smoke.
"Abyssus Tenebrosa " She whispered out, her horn sparking but not producing any spell.
"You need to banish him.. Starswirl can do the spell Nathaniel.." She rasped out and coughed up more black tar.
The battle between the two unicorns came to a standstill, Crystal Sword being forced to defend against two weapons being brought down upon him. The two stallions growled and slashed with all their might, but the dark mage were winning ground. The sudden silver spear suddenly brought through Sombra's midsection by a pegasus stopped his advancement, Crystal using the opportunity to slice the handle of the smoke blade in half, destroying the horrible weapon.
With a guttural scream of anger Sombra sent a red bolt of lighting at the crystal heart, the relic gone in a flash of light. Nathaniel saw the spear inside Sombra glow blue before it shattered the pony made out of red crystal in half, The king finishing the job by slicing the head of his father. Sombra's head shattered as it hit the floor, the rest of his body turning into dust.
The Lord Protector and King panted, Crystal Sword dropping his blade. The rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire looked at the red dust with sadness, bowing his head. The white coated pegasus with a silver mane moved away quickly from the shattered remains of Sombra, running up to Luna's side.
"What happened to her?" Silver Wing asked Nathaniel stoically, the human looking at the alicorn with uncertainty and worry.
"Guardian! Answer me!" The stallion said, the man's mind finally starting to move again.
"He stabbed her with some strange sword" Nathan responded and closed his eyes as Luna's raspy breath echoed over the sanctuary.
Osiris had helped Rose over to them and then dragged the injured wolf to their side, Blaze whimpering in pain. All of Luna's guardians were beat up, Nathaniel having attained the most injuries from the fight. Rose held her left wings tight to her side and bit into her lip to focus on something else as her appendage throbbed with pain. Osiris limped slightly, both his side and legs seemingly brining him pain. They had truly gotten the shit kicked out of them.
"We need to move her to the Golden Stallion . The arch mage will know what to do, as we cannot remove corruption" The Lord Protector said and whistled, a unicorn stallion coming running.
"Use the spell Spectral, we need the princess alive" The pegasus commanded and the unicorn stallion did so, his face showing no emotion.
Three more ponies joined them in the sanctuary beneath the castle after the battle. The human quickly found out they were part of the pegasus's own squad, the ponies having very different ranks from each other. The mare that joined them quickly spoke to Rose and Osiris, Commander Shield were her name apparently. She simply ignored the black haired teen, something he found annoying but quickly pushed to the side, only Luna's health mattered right now.
"If we are to move her then we need control of the masses your highness. Can you get your soldiers to knock down this rebellion? Kill their leaders if necessary" The Lord Protector said and The Crystal King growled.
"I will not slaughter my own people! I ordered my guards to subdue them, that is enough" He responded, the human seeing the logic of both stallions opinions, even if he didn't enjoy Silver Wing's.
"Your guards have turned on each other and they're coating the ground with blood! You either help us save the princess's life or gods help me I will make sure to come back here with an army!" He growled and the two stallions started yelling at each other, Nathan looking at Luna as they placed her on a sled.
"He's not gone.." The princess wheezed out, so quietly he almost didn't hear what she said.
"Luna? Who do you mean? Sombra? He's dead, turned to dust. You're safe" Nate replied to the dying princess, Luna shaking her head slowly.
"He's not dead.. He's right under us.." Luna said, Nathaniel's eyes widening.
"Everyone ru..!" Was all the human could say before the ground below them exploded upwards, sending the man flying once more, separating him from the injured alicorn.
The floor had exploded in a beautiful display of red crystal shards, arm like appendages made out of the crystals swatting away the Lord Protector and Crystal Sword before they had time to react. The hands grabbed a hold of Luna's sled and pulled in into the hole, the alicorn's eyes sluggishly looking around to grasp what was happening before she was gone. The man didn't even realize he was running before he was near the hole.
"Kid! Don't!" He could hear Osiris yell but it was too late, the human jumping down the hole to be embraced by darkness.
Broken Orchid's POV
My coughs and raspy breath was all the sound I could hear inside the guard hut. The magic Spectral had put on me were wearing off, allowing the damn corruption to once again spread through my veins. I coughed up black tar and red crystal like dust, my body feeling like it was on fire. I just wanted it to end, it felt like something was trying to tear itself out from my body.
I crawled over to one of the windows, looking at the burning city through the snow. The fires made it easier for me to see the battle, the citizens and guards clashing for control over different districts of the city. I found myself growing more and more afraid that Silver Wing had left me here to die. His loyalty to the crown was absolute, if he were forced to choose between us and Celestia he'd leave us behind.
I started to slowly realize as I watched the snow fall that the voice that had been whispering things in my mind had disappeared. It had been trying to make me fall asleep, to make me embrace the damn disease and die. But now it was gone, just as I recognized the voice that had been speaking to me. It had been my father's voice, his gruff and commander like tone having just been more smooth, like he was trying to loll me into a false sense of security.
Was this my father's doing? A civil war rushing through the streets and an attack on the princess of the night? I had a hard time pantomiming how he'd achieved such power and sudden urge to betray both the crown and his own son. My eyes wandered over the Crystal Empire's outline as I felt my body grow even weaker, sending me to the floor crying out in agony as the voice suddenly returned.
"Submit" It whispered, trying to coax me into letting go of my life.
"Fuck. You." I panted out and spit some of the black goo on the floor, my head spinning.
"SUBMIT" The voice said more loudly and I growled in response, I would not loose this fight easily.
I crawled towards the door to my left, hoping that the freezing snow outside would cool down my body. As I pressed one of my front hooves at the door however to find it blocked couldn't I help but yell in anger. The snow had piled up outside the door and stopped me from escaping the small guard hut, meaning I was to be die alone in a cold small room. The thought brought me to tears and I finally cracked, crying over having been left behind to die.
I knew when I signed up that any day serving in the army could be your last. But after my faithful service for so many years was this to be my reward? Not a death in battle or a promotion. My reward was to slowly die in a lonely hut long away from home with my father being the last pony I would ever hear. I cursed the gods for that, I slammed my hooves into the door and I cried. I slowly just curled up on the floor and held my forelegs over my ears, the voice growing louder and louder until I couldn't hear anything but it.
The sudden burst of cold air into the guard hut made me open my eyes to see the door was open. A silhouette of a pony was standing there against the cold winds, my eyes too blurry to make out who it was. He was wearing some sort of cloak and a long hat, the sounds of bells soothing my aching body as I felt something pick me up and place me on a soft surface. A bottle was pressed to my lips and I tried to first pull my head away, ending up with some of its content on my chest.
The liquid seemed to make the burning sensation go away. Knowing that the pain would go away helped me drink the disgusting tasting liquid, the voice in my head screaming in pain before it was silenced. I felt the burning sensation in my body grow less painful and I fell asleep with a smile on my lips, feeling the icy hooks of the cold and corruption leave my body.
Nathaniel's POV
Nathan was falling. Now after jumping down a hole one would imagine that you'd be prepared for that fact, but Nathaniel had acted on pure instinct. The human were screaming as he fell down what seemed a cold and empty dark abyss. Suddenly all came to a halt, the man letting out a huff as the air in his lungs were forced out. For a moment he just flouted there, in the middle of what he could only assume to be a large cavern.
His moment of tranquility were broken quite quickly however, the sudden jerk of some force made him hit a wall and roll. Once he came to his senses did Nate realize it hadn't been a wall but some kind of floor made out of soft rock. It made the teen uneasy as he looked around and tried to get his bearings on the place, the part where he had landed seemingly being a narrow passage carved out from the rock itself.
The walls of the passage held torches made from some kind of black wood. The human couldn't remember having seen its kind during his time in the woods, meaning it had to be native to the cold north. The torches were lit with an ominous green flame that seemed to flow in a non existent wind, it reminded him of Luna's beautiful mane. The reminder of where he was and where Luna had been taken made him fume with anger.
The young man pushed forward down the path of soft gray rock, finding that he could reach out with both his arms side to side but that was about it. The narrow passageway he had suddenly rolled into weren't very wide, most likely a choice by Sombra to make him feel more trapped. The thought of the arrogant and cruel stallion made the human push on, moving his aching limbs even harder.
Nathaniel had been impaled, thrown across rock hard crystal floors, blasted with magic, forced to see his friend stabbed with a frightening sword, seen her suffer from the sword's corruption and then been dragged into some underground passageway for the pleasure of a mad stallion. It was an understatement that Nathan was tired after his beating, the bloody bandages around his wound had dried but the pain still made him feel ill.
As the man finally saw a red light at the end of the tunnel were it clear this was Sombra's domain. The chamber Nate found himself inside as he exited the passageway were built up from red crystal, the floor, walls and roof were all made out of the stuff. Nate could see one smooth crystal wall to his right side and one to his left, the walls reflecting his tired look. The green eyed teen had walked out from a hole in the wall behind him, said hole looking very out of place in the grand crystal chamber.
Between each wall it had to be at least forty meters, the roof most likely measuring up similarly. From where he stood Nathaniel could see a throne straight across from him. Upon this throne sat Sombra, a horrible grin on his muzzle as he petted Luna laying beside the crystal red furniture. The princess of the night was shivering and coughing out red crystal dust, looking at Nathaniel with tired and glossy eyes.
"You have come to save the princess like a brave knight, ape?" The dark mage said and held out his hoof, the red dust Luna coughed up going to it and forming a scythe.
The human's right hand tightened its grip on his sword, holding it so hard his knuckles turned white. He just stood there for a long time, not answering Sombra but rather growling at him. Nathan hadn't come to play games with the self proclaimed king, he had come to save Luna. Feeling the flow of his magic the man walked towards Sombra holding out his sword in front of him with both hands.
The dark mage only grinned, getting off his throne and holding the scythe to the side with his magical grip. Luna tried to grab a hold of the mad king's back leg but he simply shrugged her off, the mare to weak to hold onto him. The crystal heart was nowhere to be seen, hidden by Sombra somewhere. The relic didn't mean much to Nathan however, his eyes slowly being filled with rage as he started to run towards the stallion that had hurt him so many weeks ago.
The two met in the middle of the chamber, Nathaniel blocking the downward strike from Sombra's scythe and pushing him back. The two backed off from one another and then exchanged quick blows, the man's slashes always being deflected or blocked by the more experienced and powerful fighter. It was like that for many minutes, the human using what last sources of energy his body held to ward off the dark mage, often ending in Sombra cutting some part of Nathaniel's body.
After almost ten minutes of nonstop fighting could Nathan barley stand, blood pouring from fresh cuts on his arms, legs, chest and back. He stumbled as the teen tried to get out of the way as Sombra suddenly slammed down the scythe where Nathaniel had stood a second prior. The scythe were wedged deep into the crystal floor, leaving a long cut into the red substance.
Luna had been calling out for him to flee during the fight, begging him to leave her, to not die. The human had ignored her, doing a final stand for as long as he could before his body would give up. It didn't take much for Sombra to finally get the injured human on his back, sending out a blast of magic into Nathaniel's chest. With his mana reserves so low he couldn't cast the Solaris Mico spell again, his body having feed of the mystical energy to keep going for a few more minutes.
As he tried to sit up Sombra walked slowly towards him, playing with his prey. The scythe were slowly dragged across the floor and the blade created sparks as it slid across the red crystal ground. Nathan just held up his sword, Luna's gift to him, and gave Sombra a defiant look. If he was to die then the young man would not go quietly into the night.
"Any last words "Guardian" Sol?" The dark mage asked, his grey fur looking like it had never burned in the first place.
The man looked at the stallion, his mind working quickly to come up with something, anything! His eyes flicked to Luna, the mare crying and desperately trying to reach him as Sombra raised his scyte. It was in this moment the man's eyes lit up, his mouth opening and his grip on the sword tightened.
"Pusilli Ignis !" He said and held out his hand, a small flame appearing on the mage's chest.
The spell had been enough, Sombra screaming in pain as the fire quickly started to cover his body. The self proclaimed king tried to desperately put out the flames that tore into his flesh, but the flames quickly consuming him as his cries echoed in the chamber. Using the distraction the man ran for Luna, having sheeted his sword and picking up the alicorn.
Even with the extra weight the man kept running, adrenaline and what magic he had left pushing him on towards the passageway. The human could hear the angry screams of Sombra behind him as he rushed into down the tunnel, the pah growing more and more narrow as he ran. It was only after he passed the fifth torch that he realized the walls were coming towards him, shrinking the his path. But even with the fear of being crushed he kept running, Luna mumbling and whimpering in pain as black goo ran down her chin from her mouth. At the end of the hallway could the man see a light, natural white light of the outside world.
With a final scream of determination Nathaniel ran the last few meters, Sombra just behind him in the form of red crystal dust, and threw himself through the door of light. He could hear the walls slam into each other and the dark mage's cries of fury behind him as he rushed through the light, suddenly finding himself in the sanctuary. Seeing that he was back brought some ease to his mind as he slowly set down Luna, hearing Rose screaming his name. It didn't really matter to the human as he fell onto his side, his eyes looking up towards the castle above them.
Darkness slowly started to obscure his vision, Nathaniel managing to catch the sight of a wizard's hat before darkness took him. It seemed the arch mage had joined the battle.
Silver Page's POV
I cried out in frustrating as I pulled on the crystal chains holding me locked to the wall. I tried and tried to get free but no matter how much I pulled the chains wouldn't budge. I sat down on the cold floor and listened to the sounds of fighting coming from outside the castle, the explosions from before having woken me from my nightmare filled sleep.
The chains were attached to my collar, the thing warming me with a spell. It was funny how he would use me for his pleasure one moment and in the next give me some kind of gift. But then again, it was all to show me I was a "good girl" for squeezing every last drop out of him, it was not affection.
My eyes wandered to the door, the red thing having been glowing since Sombra left to take the heart. He'd shared his plans with me after we had mated, knowing full well I couldn't escape and tell anypony about it. It made me feel more despair and fear as I could hear the cries on angry citizens in the castle. I knew what the old folktales said about demons, meaning if they saw me they'd probally kill me.
My new tail flicked nervously as I heard movement behind the door, the thing suddenly shaking as it burst into flames. I gave of a fearful shriek and tried to make myself as small as possible, hiding under my now red wings. The horns on my head had been another feature added by the dark mage, touching them being enough to make me whimper in pleasure.
I saw a silhouette enter through the now destroyed door, the young stallion giving me a confused look. It was the same stallion Sombra had hypnotized weeks ago, Minted Surprise had been his name I think. I gave him a look of fear as he stepped closer and eyes my body, looking like he was trying to wrap his mind around what he was seeing.
"What are you?" He asked before seeing the chains, slashing them with a dagger he was carrying.
"I-I'm Silver Page" I responded, getting up and looking towards the opening to the outside.
"I was sent to look for any of our fellow soldiers. If you need protection I suggest you head for the ship outside the city miss, the Golden Stallion will carry the princess to Canterlot" He said and my eyes lit up.
"To Canterlot? Away from.. him?" I asked quietly and looked around the room.
"Yes miss, I see that Fury did something to you. The city is tearing itself apart as we speak, so if you want protection you'll head for the ship, there they can ask questions and help you" Minted said a mare's voice calling his name down the corridor.
"I cannot stay and protect you miss, but if you help us understand what happened here then I can assure your safety" He said to me before quickly heading out the room and running away.
Everything was happening so quickly I could barley comprehend it. I was free, after weeks of being held prisoner in one room were I free. I stood there in shock for many moments before I suddenly started running out the room and down the hall. The collar around my neck with a piece of chain attached to it didn't bother me as I ran down the hallway. Tears of happiness streamed down my face when I saw a open window and felt the cold air hit my muzzle. I were free!
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
As the human suddenly appeared out of nowhere were I quite startled, having almost thrown my spear at him at first. As I saw him cradling the princess in his arms did I finally feel some hope for us, Guardian Sol laying down Luna on the ground before falling to his side. The creature didn't even realize that the battle had moved to the sanctuary, the citizens seemingly gone mad as they tried to find the king.
It was because of this we needed regulations on magic, especially dark magic. How many had died or been corrupted since the battle started? I could see the poor souls suffering from the horrible magic disease crying out for help, for death. It was hard to know what was happening once the battle moved to the sanctuary, Crystal Sword having rallied his loyal guards and charged into the flank of the mob. The citizens were slowly loosing the battle and so were the corrupted crystal guards, the sudden blast of magic sending one flying confirming it.
The arch mage had joined us long after the battle moved to the Crystal Heart's resting place, having entered by putting a whole group of the fighters to sleep using a spell. Starswirl had sought after both the human and princess as he regrouped with me and the other Equestrian ponies, having grown worried as I gave him a quick reports of what had happened in his absence.
The old stallion had taken control of the battlefield once he arrived, having thrown the strongest peasants aside and lead the two guardians that could stand and the Lunar Guard against the violent people. Once the human appeared had the old wizard's focus been on him and Luna enteirly, leaving the battle to be spearheaded by me and the Spear of Arx. I didn't mind, sending the idiots flying with the sky metal weapon magical abilities.
From what I could spot were the creature allowed Guardianship of Luna out of the picture, his body bloody and on the verge of death from exhaustion. The princess were not doing much better from what I could see, her eyes unfocused and body looking incredibly weak. I swore and hit the nearest crystal pony with as much force as I could muster, sending the mare skidding across the floor and moaning in pain. I were sure to not kill any of them, but I made sure they would't get up and fight again after I hit them.
After finally sending what was left of the fighters running and seeing King Sword knock down the last corrupted crystal guard I turned to the group that had gathered around the two downed warriors. The sanguine where saying something to the human with the earth pony scout sitting near them, petting a whining wolf. I could see the arch mage work on Luna, making her drink a potion but looking defeated as she spat it out and howled in pain.
"What did you do?" I asked harshly and ran up to the princess side, the old stallion looking at her in sadness.
"I cannot do anything more for her. The corruption she was exposed to is the most powerful one I have ever seen. I can only delay her death, I cannot heal her.." The old wizard said to me, the ponies looking at him in horror.
"Think you old mage! There must be a way to heal her!" I said, desperation sinking into my voice.
"She needs water from the Temple of Shadows. Only that is a cure for an illness caused by corruption" Crystal Blade said, moving towards us with snow stuck in his mane.
"Then we will move her there, she cannot be allowed to die!" I said and quickly moved the princess to a nearby sled, the arch mage having brought many.
"She will not survive such a journey Lord Protector, the temple lies in the Dark Kingdom. I can get her to Everfree castle, but that's as far as she can travel" Starswirl said and glared at me.
My angry response was cut short as a ghostly form of a pony moved up from the hole in the crystal floor. Sombra's face were burnt once more with his burnt skin reveling the red crystal underneath it. He just wouldn't fucking stay dead, no matter how many times you stabbed him.
"We need to get Luna and Guardian Sol out of the empire now. They will both die here if they are not cared for soon" The old mage said and send a bolt of light into the head of the dark mage, making him scream in pain.
The true king of crystals ran to fight Sombra when he was suddenly teleported by Starswirl, the guards left running for their lives as crystal spikes tore up throught the ground around us. I didn't have time to question where the arch mage had sent King Sword, deflecting spikes as they rose up from the ground with the Spear of Arx.
I could see the Lunar guards and Guardians quickly moving the princess and human away from the battle, from how Sombra's eyes followed Guardian Sol could I only assume he wanted him very dead. I were about to strike against the dark mage when were all suddenly teleported, just outside the Crystal Empire's borders.
"Run!" Starswirl called to us and the ponies dragging the injured didn't need much encouragement, pulling the sleds away from the horrid place.
I were able to see a surprised private Surprise and Commander Shield joining us as well, the two having ran off on my orders to gather what Lunar guards were left to fight against the dark mage. They hadn't been able to find anypony, or at least not somepony alive.
The fires had stopped but the snow kept falling over the empire, some sections of it being completely covered in snow. I could see how something made out of black smoke traveled towards us at high speed, I could soon see the face of Sombra as he rushed towards us with the intent to kill.
As the immortal dark mage grew closer could I see Starswirl light his horn, his eyes filled with anger as he uttered a spell I had yet hear during any battle he'd been in before. The spell sounded strange, but soon I would realize what it was meant to do, what it was meant to hide.
"Abyssus Tenebrosa !!!" The wizard yelled and a great crack opened in the cold hard ground.
I saw how Sombra seemingly turned to black smoke once more and he scraemed in pain as shackles made out of light bound his limbs. The shackles pulled the dark mage slowly into the crack, Starswirl looking strained as he put more and more energy into the spell. I covered my eyes as an explosion of light stunned the mad king, the stallion of smoke being pulled down the crack. Sombra had seemingly being banished from the physical plane of existence. I looked at the old stallion with no small wonder as he sealed the tear in the ground, his eyes looking tired and sad.
"It was the only way, even with the curse" He said, making me confused before I saw the entire Crystal Empire tremble before my eyes, suddenly being gone.
I stood there in shock and dropped my weapon onto the snow, looking over the place where the empire had been. The entire city, all those ponies. It was just gone. I slowly looked to Starswirl, the mage knew this would happen, that to banish the mad mage would mean the end for an entire kingdom.
"What did you do?" I asked him simply, looking over the cold hard land.
"I banished him with a spell forbidden by Faust herself, a spell that locks him inside a prison he can never leave until one thousand years have passed" He responded with a huff, slowly walking away.
"And the empire?" I asked him, trying to understand why it had been taken.
"He tied himself to the crystal heart which is tied to the Empire. Once he was banished it affected all of the city, locking it with him inside the prison" The older stallion said, looking over it all with sadness.
I could only slowly look away, knowing a sacrifice had been made to save the princess life. That didn't make the pain in my chest any easier to carry as we made our way to the Golden Stallion , silence among every last pony on board. As I sat down I could see Crystal Shield and Spectral Vision by Broken Orchid's sleepin body. The king refused to look at anyone but his sister, keeping his back turned to where his home had been moments before, his eyes looked so hollow.
Commader Shield sat down next to me, a bandage around her chest and right front leg. She sat there for a long time before breaking the silence by quietly asking me something I were trying to figure out myself.
"Did we win today my lord?" Violet asked me and I could only look over the water.
"I don't know commander. I don't know" I responded as the ship cast off, leaving the frozen north behind, we needed to get home
Author's Note
And there we go! Thank you for reading chapter 13!
Chapter Fourteen: The angel's promise
Pain. All he could feel was pain. Nathan had opened his eyes to a bright light and hissed, the sudden brightness burnt his eyes and the human moved his bandaged arm to cover his face. He was vaguely aware of the sound of seagulls and the ocean around him, making the injured man look around. He could see shapes moving around him, his sight blurred for the moment.
The man tried to sit up, only for more pain to flare up. He breathed quickly for a few seconds before his body went back to mild pain instead of tremendous one. The wound Sombra had inflicted on him hurt the most, his abdomen having been bandaged again but not a single healing spell to close the wound entirely. Nathan looked around once again, his vision clearing after a minute.
The room he found himself in were big, large enough to hold cargo. As the young man saw a box of coins he realized he were in the cargo hold. The largest area of the ship had been remade into a infirmary of some sort, the walls a chestnut brown. The area smelled like medicine and hushed voices from beside him made him turn his head to the right.
There on a large bed laid Luna, the alicorn princess looking sickly pale. Her mane that had once been flowing in a non-existent breeze and seemed to have contained the night sky clung to her body like a net, her tail limp and lifeless as well. The mare whimpered and whined, her teal eyes ever so often to reveal fear and panic before closing again. Her body seemed so thin compared to how she had looked the day before, and to make it worst could Nate see the black veins all over her body.
"Luna.." He croaked out, his throat sore.
One of the ponies noticed him speaking and hurried over, looking over his body before nodding. The mare ran off and swiftly came back with some disgusting smelling liquid. The man tried to pull away his head from the stuff but it was forced down his throat, the aching in his body lessening. Something else that the liquid changed were the man's connection to his magic, the feeling of the energy having been weak before but now feeling like it was stronger.
"Tell the others Guardian Sol is awake. He can be moved to his room but that I want him in bed for the remainder of the journey" She said to a nearby guard who saluted and walked off.
"W-What happened?" He asked her, the mare turning to face him.
The pony had a green mane and yellow coat, her head were adored with a white hood. She wore beyond that white robes that made her look like a nurse, if said nurse were a deadly assassin at the same time. What stood out the most however was her eyes and teeth, her mouth filled with fangs and her eyes carrying all the colours of the rainbow.
"The Empire was lost Guardian Sol, but the mad lieutenant were banished with it" She said and eyed his stomach, looking to see if the wound had opened up again.
"And, Luna?" The man asked, the healer turning sad for a moment.
"Without your help she would be dead. But she's barely holding on, fighting against the poison at every moment. She cannot stay on the ship, she won't make it without magical aid" She responded and looked to Luna, surrounded by two other mares in white robes and hoods.
"Who are you then?" The green eyed teen asked the yellow coated mare, her eyes fixating at his.
"Healer Nightingale, brought on board to help the princess with my sisters. We in the Order Of Healing are sworn to help whoever needs our aid, may that creature be a princess or human" She said and looked to the alicorn, Luna shivering.
"I didn't hear about you during our travels" He stated, keeping his vision at the sick mare, digging his fingers into the bed.
"There are only a few of us Guardian Sol, enough to be of use but not enough to be commonly known. The princess not knowing of our order or not being trusting of us is normal" Healer Nightingale said.
The man nodded and looked to the side, not wanting to look at Luna as she started to cough again. It pained him to watch her shiver and cry, to watch her body trashing on the bed before going still only to start up again a few moments later. Nathan closed his eyes and breathed slowly, hoping to meditate, hoping that he could seek some sort of escape. It only became worse.
Luna's aurora were black and oily, seemingly tainting the air around it. It screamed 'Death' at him and the teen held back a sob, the corruption screaming through the ethereal plane. It made him break focus and scramble out of bed, his entire body crying out in protest. He couldn't be near that, that dark thing sucking Luna's soul dry couldn't be there. He was hyperventilating, leaning against one of the walls. His sight became unfocused and he pulled his knees to his chest.
Not until Nightingale forced something down his throat did he calm down, the strange bitter liquid making him relax. Nathaniel were put back into his bed by two guards, the mare from the Order Of Healing frowning at him. Her eyes held both worry and disappointment.
"I said you need rest Guardian Sol. Using magic after you depleted your reserves, twice, is not resting. Nor is it resting moving about. I need you to lay down and sleep, I will do everything I can to help the princess. Once you wake you'll be in your own quarters and everything will be fine" She promised, the relaxing feeling in his body spreading to his head, making him fall asleep.
Rose's POV
I looked at the older unicorn stallion, Starswirl having been reading through more books in an hour than I had in my entire life. He had been wearing a grim focused expression as he read, trying his best to find some sort of cure or a way to sloe down Luna's illness. So far he hadn't found anything, Crystal Sword's words being the only thing we could rely on.
"We need to get the princess home soon. The healers we picked up said she's as good as dead unless we find a cure" I said through gritted teeth, there having been delays due to one of the new towers.
The structures meant to protect Euqestria and the Griffon kingdom from the mutants were already complete. The grand towers going all the way across the sea. They were meant to protect two nations, but instead had the griffins in the tower slowed down our progress, demanding to search our ship. It wasn't until the Lord Protector showed them his badge of office and his weapon that they left, the guards on the ship having sighed in relief. Why had there only been griffons? Weren't it a joined watch-force?
"Guardian Thorn I know full well that Luna is at death's door, which is why I am trying to find another cure that doesn't involve traveling for more than a week" Starswirl responded, breaking me out of my train of thought.
We were both standing in his study, the sky metal weapon laying on the table in the middle of the room. The war-hammer had been extremely useful at the Crystal Empire, it's power alone would have helped Nathaniel. I shivered as I thought about the moments we dragged him through the snow, the sled he had laid on being soaked in blood. Seeing his and Luna's pale bodies had been a sight no liquor could fix.
"If that water is Luna's only chance then we must take it" I said firmly, holding strong to that we needed to make the trip.
"She'll not survive a week of waiting, or even longer if there are delays!" The old wizard huffed, slamming a book shut.
"We'll be quick, in and out. If you send me and Osiris then we will be back before the week have ended" I said, trying my best to convince him that there were no other way.
"..Then you will run and not stop running until you're back with the cure" He finally said, a smile gracing my muzzle.
"Thank you Arch mage" I responded, leaving the room with a tired Starswirl behind to start packing.
Nathaniel's POV
He looked up at the roof with a sad expression, the sounds of seagulls annoying him. There had been a bowl of some sort of meat left for him next to the bed but Nathan hadn't touched it, not having done much since waking up. Nathaniel were still feeling the effects of having 'read' the corrupted Luna, the image of her normal strong self deprived of all strength and being sucked dry by the illness making him shiver.
He hadn't known before what to feel if one of his captors were on death's door, but Luna were a friend. She had kept him safe the best she could, making him feel as comfortable as possible and despite all treated him like an equal, like a friend. She had been one of the lights that showed him him the way and he would not see her die to that damn Major's vile magic.
The young man stood up and got dressed, heading out the door to be met with Osiris. The stallion shook his head and pointed to the room Nate had just exited, his brown eyes meeting the human's own green ones. It was a starring contest for a while before the stallion finally sighed.
"You need more rest kid. No being can handle a beating like that and be expected to work directly after it" The golden furred pony said.
"I want to be near Luna. I want to be there like she has been there for me" He replied, Osiris sighing again.
"Listen Nathaniel, I know what you want to do, give back to her after all she's given you. But right now is all she needs that special water, something me and Rose will be gathering in the Dark Kingdom" The pony responded, looking to the side.
"I will come with you. I have rested enough" Nathan said, Osiris poking his stomach hard enough to make him hiss in pain.
"That is not healed, it's not even close to it. You cannot come kid, for your own safety. You almost died on us you know, we don't want that to happen again" The stallion said, forcing the human back into his room.
"Rest, eat and sleep. That is all you should worry about at the time being" Osiris sighed, closing the man's door.
With a sigh Nathan did as ordered, picking up the bowl and eating the chicken tasting fish. It made him feel a bit better getting some food into his stomach, happily devouring what was left of the meat. But even with his hunger satisfied couldn't he focus on anything but Luna, her pale face burnt into his head.
It were a lot to ask of a man to not grow attached to those around him, meaning that if Luna died than more than just Celestia would grief her passing. The mere idea of the mare taking a final breath finally made the human get up, punching the wall in anger. Time and time again he hit the wall, his ragged breath and angry tears being all he could hear and see for many seconds.
"Fuck this" Nathaniel said and left the room, his body still aching but his mind steadfast with his objective.
Osiris spotted him the same second the human left the room, standing in his way. The pony stood in front of the stairs leading up to the deck, light shining down from above. It made the disproving scowl on the stallion's muzzle show right away.
"Kid, get back into bed" He said and the green eyed man shook his head.
"No. I will help you, I will see this through. It's my duty to protect Luna, both as a friend and as her guardian" The human said, looking deeply into the stallion's eyes.
"..If you come with us you're gonna carry that damn hammer, wear actual armor and not just cloth, be quiet during our audience with the empress and you will not strain yourself. Do we have a deal kid?" Osiris finally answered with a sigh, a smile spreading over Nathaniel's face.
"Deal" He responded, his smile turning into a grin.
Celestia's POV
I hurried down the old halls, my guards barely keeping up. My heart beat hard as I saw the letter Starswirl had sent to me, the old wizard informing me of Luna's condition. I felt sick to my stomach and had just wanted to cry when I read it, every word describing her pain filled state. She was dying, my sister was dying.
My hooves hit the stone even harder as I sped up towards the gates, the crew of the ship having been spotted in the woods by my scouts. As I ran I could only feel like the world had started to cave out under me, two kingdoms gone in under a month and Luna stabbed with a blade of corruption. It was like the world had only been pretending to be at peace for all this time, accumulating all evil to be released upon us as some sort of punishment.
Once I reached the gates I saw her. I saw her pale weak body shuddering, even if she was covered by so many blankets that she should have been sweating. I saw her once teal eyes held a yellow hue to them, the two orbs that had once contained the spark of life only Luna could produce. Now all I saw within her eyes were a wish to die.
"Get her to the healers. NOW." I said firmly, the guards hurrying to pick up my sisters shaking body.
Starswirl approached me slowly, looking at Luna as she were quickly carried away to the healers. My old teacher seemed to open his mouth to speak, but slowly closed it. Some part of me knew what he wanted to say, that there was some quick way to get her help, that we just needed some sort of spell o fix her. But his eyes told me all I needed to know.
"She needs water from that temple, doesn't she?" I asked, Starswirl nodding.
"All other ways have failed. While I could purge Broken Orchid of the corruption thanks to it not reaching her heart I couldn't help Luna, because it was there it began" He said and I only nodded slowly.
It was then I saw them, Luna's guardians. They looked like they had been through a storm of swords, holding cuts and bruises all over their bodies. Guardian Sol were the worst however, the human walking like each step hurt. His eyes focused on my sister as they carried her away, only leaving her once they took her inside into the castle. He had bandages all over his body, some of the wounds looking near fatal while others were mere scraps.
"How did you let this happen?" I asked, my voice filled with anger.
"Princess Celestia we were not prepared fo.." Guardian Thorn started, going quiet as I raised my hoof.
"Let him respond" I said, my eyes not leaving the human.
"Are you blaming me for this!? How the fuck was I supposed to know any of this would happen!?" Nathaniel said, anger and confusion part of his voice.
"You were let out on the premise that you would protect Luna. You have failed miserably in that regard and gotten her injured!" I growled, slamming my hoof onto the ground.
"I have almost no training! How am I supposed to fight against someone that was trained by your military!? Somra or Fury or whatever he wanted to be called is on you!" He yelled, my glare turning cold.
Did he dare to say this was my fault? I had made Fury an example for all in the military by showing there was only humiliation in case they went against orders. If I had simply let him go then they wouldn't have seen an example, they would see a martyr.
"You had every tool at your disposal to prove yourself. I let you out because Luna said you were up to the task, that you could be a guardian. I see now that she was wrong, your failure might have costed her life" I told him, my mind flashing images of my brother, his mad grin and horrific laughter.
'I will not loose them both..' I thought, the human growling.
"Princess with all due respect was Guardian Sol not the only one to fail at this task. Both me and Guardian Thorn could not bring down Sombra, or rather Lieutenant Fury. I understand you must be upset over what has happened to Luna but you cannot blame the kid for this! He pulled her out of Sombra's dark little throne room and almost died in an attempt to fight the mad mage" Osiris voice suddenly said, my eyes flicking to the earth pony scout.
"There is a difference Guardian Osiris. The human were given a chance to prove himself worthy of freedom and that my fears were nothing but baseless assumptions. But he has not proven himself by bringing home my sister on her deathbed!" I said, my voice growing more and more angry.
The human had failed, as had his friends. But it was his failure that hurt the most, his failure to protect my sister when she had trusted him so. It felt like some sort of betrayal, like he had wanted this to happen. Why would he fail, when he had been bestowed with so much power from an unknown origin and given a weapon of legend? I refused to accept that this were meant to happen, that my sweet little sister was meant to die from the worst disease known to ponykind.
"Your former Major stole his son's kingdom and used its power against us! None of us could have done anything! Starswirl wasn't even there until after Luna was stabbed! The same with your Lord Protector! Why am I given this shit when you made me into a slave and took me from my home!" Nathaniel yelled and lashed out with a magical shock-wave, my guards raising a shield and growling at him.
"Slave? You have been given a very luxurious life compared to a slave you ungrateful child! Not only have you failed to protect Luna you think you can attack me?" I questioned, our fight seemed to make the sanguine mare afraid.
The tension in the air was growing to a boiling point, the human letting his hand grab a hold of his sword. My guards held their spears ready and I started the spell, ready to shock him until he cried for mercy, until he begged for forgiveness for allowing my sweet little sister to get hur..
"Both of you stop!" Rose Thorn suddenly yelled, her voice making the human grow quiet and derailing my train of thought.
"We do not have time for this! We of the Lunar Guardians will get the water needed to save Luna's life" The bat pony said with an exasperated breath, the man nodding.
"Celestia, I hate you. But I see your sister as my friend, someone who promised to free me once we returned. She has made me feel safe and comfortable, she even gave me a damn constellation. I understand why you're so angry, but do you think I'm not angry enough at myself? That I doesn't see this as a failure? I swore an oath to protect her, an oath I kept close to heart. See this as some sort of apology, give me a chance to save her!" He pleaded.
I could see in his eyes that he was desperate, one hand holding the handle of his sword tightly. I wondered if this human even knew how we would free him from the servant spell, if he'd even researched enough. This could just be another trick, another way the world would give me false hope to later crush it. I had made a mistake with my brother, it had cost me dearly. What if I made a mistake now as well? If I lost Luna how would I move on? How would I live?
"..One more chance to prove yourself worthy human.." I finally said, Nathaniel's face lighting up with hope.
"Fail me, and I will throw you back into the cell. Now go and get supplies, you will leave as soon as possible" I said, walking off to speak with Starswirl.
The man had gained my sister's trust, even after everything. Yet when she had needed him the most he had failed her, failed to think ahead and failed to take notice of things around them. How was I supposed to react? From the arch mage's reports and Luna's letters had the human seemed to be acting like he was supposed to, not being too rude nor causing too much problems. But he had been given a job, a mission. Protect my sister at all costs, and even with his best efforts she was still dying.
I knew that his fellow guardians had a role to play in the failure, as did the Lord Protector. They had been given the tools to act and destroy such evils, yet my best trained soldier couldn't see any of it coming, my arch mage had remained on the ship even if he should have gone with them, Luna had requested the hammer to be left behind and Fury stirring up the citizens were very surprising.
So why did I want to blame the human? Why when it all seemed like bad luck or the will of the universe did I want it to be so badly his fault, treating him like it was his fault. Deep down I knew why, because if I couldn't blame anypony else, then I would blame myself.
Nathaniel's POV
The man packed as many supplies as possible, making sure to be prepared for the journey ahead. His body still hurt, reminding him every time he stretched for an object in the kitchens or bent over to pick up dropped paper. Nathaniel was not gonna fail at the assignment given, that meant all things needed to be planned ahead. Rose had given him a list of things they needed from the castle and Osiris had instructed him to be quick about thing, they didn't have much time.
Blaze was happily following Nathan around, the wolf helping him carry stuff like a book on magic and some apples. They would only have a week's time to get the water back to Luna, which meant they had to make haste. They would travel with the Golden Stallion for as long as possible until they would be forced to wander through a jungle. Once they finally reached the capital city of the dark kingdom would Rose contact her sister, vouching for the group so they would be able to get inside.
When they entered the city would their Guardian rank hopefully be enough to convince the guards to lead them to the empress, who was the only one that could allow them to take water from the Temple Of Shadows . Nathan didn't particularly enjoy the idea of having to meet another ruler but if it was to save Luna's life then he would do it.
Once the human reached the guardians sleeping quarters it felt like it had been ages since he had seen the door, his rune still carved onto it. Nate simply opened it to be greeted to the sight of Osiris and Rose packing knives and daggers among their supplies. It was almost a calming sight seeing them together where it had all started, but the situation pushed him to act quickly.
"I have the stuff we need" He said and placed the food and paper on the ground.
The reason for bringing food was obvious, they would need to eat along the way. The paper however was for personal reasons, Nathaniel planning on writing down his own spells and how he felt when using them. The first spell he wanted to write was the healing spell, the ability incredibly useful to him. The healing spell had saved his life his first days in the strange land, meaning that if he gave himself a shortcut when it came to casting it that the man would walk away with his life from a fight more easily.
"We have managed to get a hold of reliable weapons and water, the guards will move it onto the ship" Osiris said and headed past Nathaniel with a bag, Rose grabbing the food.
"Some of this will spoil quickly, but the dry meat should keep us alive long enough" The sanguine mare said and looked at the human, Nathan having seemingly disappeared deep in thought.
"Are you ok Nate? I mean, after everything that has happened.." She started only to be silenced by the teen's raised hand.
"I'm fine Rose. What matters is that we get that water for Luna" He responded and looked towards the hallway leading to the garden doors.
"You have a few minutes to relax, so go do so. We need to clear up some things with the guards and give them our recollection of what happened" The mare said with a small smile, the human walking off to gather his thoughts.
Silver Page's POV
I looked away from the mare in front of me, Healer Nightingale's eyes fixated on my own. Her presence seemed to be relaxing for the others in the crew, but she just made me feel like a trapped animal, ready to lash out in any seconds to protect myself.
"So the former Lieutenant did this to you miss?" She asked me, her hoof touching my horns as if to make sure that they were real.
"Y-Yes.. Can you fix it? Can you make me normal again?" I asked, feeling some hope forming in my chest.
"No I cannot. What has been done is permanent, I know many ways to fight against the dark disease, but this is not it. Your demonic features are part of you know miss Page, whether you like it or not" She said, my ears folding over my head.
His corruption couldn't be washed away, he had destroyed me. His vile thoughts and perverted pleasures had turned me into this damn monster from old legends. I couldn't help but cry, knowing there was no way for her to make me myself again, that his touch would be part of me forever.
"Please don't cry Silver. I know this must hurt, but you can still live. What has been done to you have changed you, yet you will be able to forge a new path forward, I promise you that" The healer told me with a smile giving me a light hug.
"What would that be? I don't know much of anything.." I mumbled
"You can learn things, become something more than a maid or lust demon. I told somepony about you and he promised to have a solution" Nightingale said to me, confusion filling my head.
"Who?" I asked her only for King Sword to enter the room, the tall stallion looking at me with a kind smile.
"Hello Silver Page. I remember seeing you in the halls of the castle, cleaning diligently" He told me, trotting up to my shivering body.
I wanted to bow, but it just didn't feel right. He was no longer king, he was once again Grand Duke Crystal Sword. My hesitation didn't go unnoticed, a slight frown on his muzzle. If it was from my lack of bowing or that I had wanted to wasn't clear. However his face became more friendly again in a second, looking at my new demonic features.
"I cannot leave my sister as she recovers, but I need someone to bring a message to my aunt in the capital. I do not trust the group going there enough to give them information of this kind, nor would the Empress accept the message from the human. She doesn't like Equestria much and as that group is Guardians of Luna will she possibly see the message as fake" The former king explained to me, slowly making me understand what he wanted.
"My lord are you certai.." I started only for him to silence me with a raised hoof.
"You carry the blood of the old ones now. Your words will be enough to convince my aunt to read and believe the message" The stallion said, handing me a sealed letter with a stamp of black ink on it.
"You will be my representative before the empress and the princesses court. By the right assigned to me at birth I hereby declare you a royal envoy of the Dark Kingdom" Crystal Sword said, the healer giving me an encouraging nod.
The shock from being given such a title passed through me like a storm, it didn't seem real. I had been just a lowly maid, working quietly and efficiently to make my King's castle look perfect for any occasion. Now I was being given an honor my friends would have died to get their hooves on? I couldn't do anything but hug him and thank him over and over again, the stallion looking around with slight discomfort at my sudden touch.
Nathaniel's POV
He let another deep breath leave his lungs, feeling like the silence around him was wrapping around him like a blanket. The man had meditated for a few minutes in front of the mishmashed statue in the gardens. The snow had started to melt, leaving puddles at certain placed and wet snow at others. It was relaxing, not feeling anything but himself with his magical "eye".
Even with the healer telling him not to use his magic for a while Nathaniel couldn't resist, the human once again finding peace with his magical abilities. However the same second he had started to feel truly relaxed another presence pressed against his mind, not feeling like anything else he'd "seen" before. Luna and Celestia seemed to radiate power when he concentrated on them during mediation. This just felt, wrong.
"What a delight! The one who feeds Celestia's fears and ego finally returns" A voice suddenly called out in his head, the man mentally pulling away.
"What the hell?" Nathan said and opened his eyes, looking at the weird statue in front of him.
"You are not the only one she's betrayed you know. I was just minding my own business then suddenly zap! Condemned to a stone prison" The voice said with a dark mutter, Nate's mark glowing from the sheer power of the thing pressing itself onto his mind.
The thing's voice seemed to hold some sort of hidden glee, a sort of amusement in a dark corrupted mind. Whatever the statue was it couldn't be normal, if it could speak with him so easily and make him feel like a bolder had been pushed onto his shoulders.
"Who are you?" The teen asked the presence and looked upon the statue with confusion.
"Why I am Discord of course! The lord of chaos!" The voice said like the human had just asked the most stupid question in his life.
"How can you even talk? You're a statue" Nathaniel said and the voice chuckled.
"Oh this? Just a simple use of chaos magic. I doesn't work all the time and can only touch the minds of those with enough power, but it can bring the most sweet of results" Discord's voice said with another dark chuckle.
The human was not gonna lie, the voice was making him afraid. It had so effortlessly pushed its way into his mind and didn't seem to want to leave. Its words about Celestia having betrayed it made him feel some sympathy for the creature, the idea of the princess pushing all things she didn't like under the rug made his blood boil, closing his palms into fists.
"Why would she she turn you to stone then?" Nate asked him and shivered, it felt like the air grew cold.
"Celestia feared my power, like she fears your power" Discord growled, adding the last part which made the human growl as well.
"I hate her" The green eyed man said and the chaos spirit chuckled in response.
"Oh I feel like we're going to be the bestest of friends" Discord said with yet another chuckle before suddenly pulling away, the statue once again a statue.
Luna's POV
I felt like my body was on fire. My eyes stung and my muscles felt to stiff to move. I could hear singing of voices far away, their dark giggles adding to the despair I felt over their melody. I knew what was moving through my body, wreaking havoc on my magic and mind. The corruption was so much worse than anything I could ever have imagined, making me feel like death was a good solution to the problem.
I could hear the healers walk around me, the ponies voices hard to make out but their solemn tones was all I needed to hear. I was dying, wasting away to an illness that only a few had ever woken up from. It hurt so much, laying there not being able to do anything as my body slowly gave up. I gave a pained whimpered, so unlike my normal self. I didn't feel any strength, not even when I felt my sister standing next to me. Her light was somewhat soothing, but her own sadness dampened it, lessened its impact.
"Oh Luna.." I heard her say, her voice cracking lightly as she embraced me.
I wanted to return the hug, I wanted to tell her I loved her. But my mouth wouldn't open and my mind couldn't find the words. I just cried, my sister's embrace holding me close for a long time. Finally when she let go I felt that the pain had lessened a little bit, even if it was only for a minute.
"I'm so sorry my sister. I couldn't keep you safe, I couldn't keep either of you safe.." Her muffled voice said, it broke my heart to hear Celestia's voice filled with such sadness, such hopelessness.
This wasn't her fault. She couldn't have known, she couldn't have known. I wanted to ease her pain, I wanted to make sure that she didn't blame herself again. I could feel the fear that had lingered in her heart ever since Discord went mad, I could feel it growing, enveloping my sister's judgement. She used to be so happy, so calm. She used to not fear anything.
I wasn't sure when she left, the disease making hard for me to tell the time. All I knew that one second was Celestia's light there, like it was hiding at the corner of my eye and then it was not. I still couldn't force myself to open my eyes, my eyelids feeling so heavy and my eyes wouldn't stop stinging.
It might have been hours or it might have been minutes but when I felt a hand rest upon my head and pet me I almost cried out in joy. He was alive, Nathaniel was alive. I could feel him next to me, not like normal when he was like that of a large bonfire for my spectral eyes, he was more like a dimly lit candle. It hurt to feel him so weak, it even more knowing he'd gotten to that point partially thanks to me and my sister.
"I'm sorry Luna.." He said, his hand sliding away from my head.
"I was meant to protect you and instead you got hurt.." His voice mumbled, his feeling of anger, sadness and being distraught hitting me like a bolder.
He felt responsible for this? I couldn't even try to make sense of it all. My human had stood by my side, done everything asked of him and when he finally was meant to protect me he had stood his ground. Nathaniel hadn't failed me, the young man hadn't failed anyone.
"I promise you that I'll bring back the cure for this disease. I will not fail you again, not after all you've done for me.." The man said, kissing my forehead before walking away.
I knew that something bad was coming, I could feel it. My sister and Nathaniel were both emotional wrecks, both of them holding so much anger and sadness inside them. They where heading for a collision course for each other, and I would not be there to stop it. I would not be there to find common ground between them when we need it the most. Perhaps brother was right, the world was coming to an end. If it was through darkness or fire however I could not say.
In my own darkness I felt as if I was watched, a dark feminine chuckle making my skin crawl. I saw two eyes that reminded me of my own, but they were wrong, like that of a snake. They didn't belong in the world of the waking, nor did they belong in my head. I shuddered as a voice echoed through my head.
"Isn't the darkness, beautiful?~" A female voice filled with malice called out, making me whimper with fear.
Nathaniel's POV
He left Luna's chambers in a hurry, the human not wanting the image of Luna's weak trashing body in his mind. The princess fur had started to grow darker, her once dark blue fur now more black. She had refused to open her eyes in her pained whimpers, but he could only assume they looked far worse now than ever before. The disease was taking the princess's life so quickly, draining her of all life. It pained him to see her like that.
The man hurried down the halls, Blaze appearing on his side. The wolf had been quipped with what looked like armor, the thing flexible enough for the wolf to move. The armor was made out of what looked to be some kind of hardened wood, said wood making up small plates that formed an armor around the wolf's back and stomach.
"Who manged to get that on you?" The human asked with a small smile, the sight of the wolf in warrior like get up amusing for the man.
"Who do you think kid? Rose isn't going near those damn teeth" Osiris voice called down the hallway, the earth pony stallion hurrying up to catch the wolf.
"Why armor?" Nate asked, Blaze hiding behind his legs from the stallion.
"Because otherwise we might die more easily. You do know the purpose of armor kid" Osiris said with a deadpan stare.
"His fur can literally absorb magic" The man countered and headed down the hallway, trying to find the front gates.
"But not blades" The golden furred stallion said and backed off as Blaze growled at him.
"It seems he doesn't like wearing that thing" Nathan stated and the wolf growled in response.
"That dog of yours likes that armor about as much as you like your magical chains kid" The stallion responded as they walked up to the gate.
The three protectors of Luna walked out to the snow filled landscape, water pouring down from the roof as the sun melted the cold substance. Nathaniel hoped that they would return before the first flowers bloomed, so Luna would be able to see them. The man tensed just thinking about how much pain she had to be in.
"We'll help her kid" His companion promised to him and he nodded stiffly, seeing Rose talking with a strange mare wearing black robes.
Her fur was a deep red from what he could see of her legs and her tail was that more of a demon than a pony, holding a heart shaped tip. Her hood seemed to be held up by something on her head, most likely horns from what he had seen so far. Her long black mane and yellow eyes made her stand out in the white wet woodland landscape.
"Guardian Sol, Guardian Osiris. Let me introduce you to the dark kingdoms newest envoy, Silver Page" The sanguine said and nodded her head the the demonic mare. ¨
"H-Hello" She responded, her robes twitching like they were hiding something on her back.
"She will join us for our journey, with her own mission of delivering a message to the empress of the Dark Kingdom. She has been given permission by Celestia to go with us and will not slow us down" Rose said with a loud clear voice, giving the new envoy a slight bow before ordering the cart to move.
The five of them walked towards though the woods in relative silence, heading towards the docks where the Golden Stallion waited on them. He knew that failure was not an option for them, that Luna's life hanged in the balance. They would move quickly to the dark kingdom and not fail their princess, no matter how rough the road got.
Celestia's POV
I looked to Silver Wing with tired eyes, the stallion frowning at the request I had made. His eyes held a great bit of confusion and uncertainty I didn't blame him for, my request had been a strange one for a Lord Protector just having arrived home.
"You want me to go where Princess?" Silver asked me, his wings twitching lightly.
"I want you to go and see the joined effort of our and the griffins soldiers, I need eyes on what's happening there. With the changeling kingdom gone have we lost our largest spy network, that was no coincidence" I said, biting back a growl.
"If I go and oversee the soldiers I would leave you with only your own guardians to defend both yourself and Luna. My priority is your safety your majesty" He said, his eyes scanning my own.
"No. Your priority is to follow the orders given to you Silver, and you will follow them. Go to the fortresses and towers being built across the sea, find out what the world is planning with our greatest spies gone" I ordered him and with a reluctant salute he marched off, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
'A storm is coming, and I don't know how to stop it' I thought for myself quietly.
King Guto's POV
I looked upon my troops with glee, their training complete and their spirits raised after sacking the changelings. They had been glad to bring home a few as brood mares, seeing the ability to take on any form as very enticing. I was still angry about how a few of the princesses were alive, having been able to flee or been in other nations during the time of the attack. But even with a few heirs alive it didn't matter much, they couldn't rebuild or unite their kind fast enough to realize what was happening.
The idol's sweet whispers echoed through my mind, making me shudder in pleasure and almost drool. It's promises and decades of planning were finally coming to fruition, my father and grandfather would be proud. I was interrupted being showered in power from the idol from a knock on my door. My royal chambers held a large balcony for my messengers to land on but even they knocked.
"Open the damn door" I snapped at the being interrupting such a great moment.
The door opened to reveal captain Steelbeak, the albino griffon walking inside and bowing. His black armor contrasted heavily with his white feathers, but I didn't care. As long as the captain killed our enemies I wouldn't even think about tellling him to find better gear.
"The weapon and main ship is ready your majesty. We only await a clear sign from our spies that the barricade is finished" Steelbeak said and stood up, my eyes returning to the idol of boreas.
"Good, we will destroy those damn ponies once and for all" I said and his eyes sifted for a second, uncertainty?
"What of our own ponies my lord?" He asked me, I could almost hear the idol's sweet chuckle at the captains question.
"They are loyal to our nation and our army, nothing captain" I responded, even if I saw a much more beautiful sight in my head, all half-breeds and ponies running for their lives.
"Very well your majesty. I will continue to request ships of our builders and have our army hurry up with building the barricade" He said before leaving the room.
I laughed as he left, Steelbeak's naivety being so amusing. I would wipe out those pathetic ponies, both home and over the sea. They had corrupted our blood with their own, leading to abominations like my son. My father had taught me one thing and thing only, never trust a pony. I would do more than just that. I would fulfill my family's dream of conquering the world, I would finally make our nation the most powerful one in the world. The low humming from the idol in the room only strengthened that promise, its power filling me once more.
I felt a bit of anger over loosing the crystal empire to some fool, the city having been strategically placed. Had it not disappeared then my troops would have had a place to regroup and then marched south, heading straight for the sisters new city and then their castle. Or at least one of the sisters. My spies had told me that the princess of the night was dying, which suited my wish for chaos even more.
Soon we would march upon all of the western kingdoms, taking them one by one. I could almost see my grandfather's grin at the mere thought. But thanks for the idol we were now here, without it having asked for a single price. The magical artifact was truly amazing, its knowledge filling my mind. Why would I ever want it to stop? With this power they would burn, with this power they would ALL burn. My cackling laughter filled the castle as I thought about it, not even seeing the idol glowing a dark red.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for reading chapter 14! The story hit a large milestone with this chapter, namely 100k words. Next milestone will be the next chapter which will mark the halfway point of this story!
Chapter Fifteen: The angel and his squadron
The human looked upon the fishing village as the Golden Stallion smoothly travelled across the water. They had only been traveling for a few hours down the Equestrian coast but if they wanted to get to the Dark Kingdom then they would have to walk through thick jungle. The fishing village was an interesting case according to Rose, being owned by the Griffon Kingdom but laying far within the Equestrian border. This made it a spot where many ponies and griffins both ate meat, the ponies in the area being able to handle it after several years of doing so.
At first the logic behind how the ponies would be able to eat meat was lost on the young man until the sanguine mare had pointed out how magic could change many things, including biology for different creatures. It made sense that the ponies would have their diets changed if they lived this far away from any other town or city, meaning fish was the most abounded food source.
The fact that these ponies needed to eat meat was lost on the guards and sailors of the Golden Stallion however, the captain having puked at the smell of smoked chicken salmon (as the human liked to call the it). It was amusing for both human and bat pony to watch the herbivores get more sick from the smell of fish than the sea, Osiris having gone to his room below deck to hide from the strong smell.
Once the ship stopped by the docks were the man greeted with a satchel of dried and salted fish, more food for their journey that they would need. Nathaniel tasted some of the dried fish and had to bite back a moan, the taste almost making him drool. The nice food was a good distraction for why they were really there, what was at stake. The black haired teen gave some raw fish to the wolf and some dried fish to Rose as they walked down the rows upon rows of fishing huts, the largest one most likely belonging to the village leader.
While most of the huts were either painted green or grey were the large hut painted a crimson red, a crest of a silver anchor resting on its roof. An old looking griffon stepped outside and watched them all, Osiris having left the ship once he realized it was either the smell or the jungle. Silver Page was the one of them drawing most attention from the surrounding ponies and griffins, her demonic horns almost more interesting to the villagers than the human next to her.
Nate thought the griffon that had exited the hut looked to old to lead a village, having ruffled grey feathers with certain bald spots on his body. The human also noticed how one of the village leader's eyes seemed to almost be milky white, indicating that he was either blind on that eye or almost blind. The teen also didn't like the amount of scars ridding the elder's body, like he had served in some sort of army. The most noticeable ones were several on his black beak, one starting above his white eye and stopping by his neck, a long one starting from his side and ending by his left back leg and one on his right wing. What made the damages even more noticeable was the constant limping the griffon did.
The elder walked up to them and eyed Nathan, Blaze and Silver with suspicion before looking to two "normal" ponies of their group. It was a strange bunch that had walked into the fishing village after all, wearing Equestrian colours and armor but being made up from very different creatures.
"I was told that a group would come by needing supplies, I was not told this group would be guardians" The elderly griffon said and flicked his eyes to a medallion Rose pulled out, representing a moon.
"We serve Princess Luna of Equestria as her protectors and representatives. We will not be in your village for long, just give us the supplies already payed for and we will be on our way" The mare said, the village leader eyeing the group.
Nathaniel felt a bit jealous of not having been given the same kind of medallion, the damn thing seemingly being recognized by not only the elder but also the ponies and griffins around them. He guessed it was another piece of influence Celestia didn't consider him worthy of yet. Another reason for him to dislike the princess and her never ending paranoia. Not everything in the fucking world was out to get her dammit.
"The letter said nothing of a wolf, demon or ape. The toll to pass through is ten bits per pony, but these aren't ponies! You've given me forty bits for a group of five where three of them are strange beings. I will let you pass through if you give me, let's say sixty more bits, thirty per creature" The griffin said, holding out one of his talons with a hungry look in his eyes.
"And there's the famous griffin greed.." Osiris muttered under his breath, the scout already not liking this journey.
As they spoke with the elder had the people of the village came out to watch, some hippogriffs and foals pointing at the succubus and human with laughs. The young as well as the adults of the small settlement watched the group intensely, some of them looking a bit like guards, wearing swords and armor.
"And if we don't pay?" Rose asked with a dangerous tone, the elder narrowing his eyes.
"Then there might be trouble, guardian " The old griffon hissed, the guards slowly making their way towards them.
"Are they trouble Master Obsidian?" One of the guards called to the elder.
"I don't know yet, are you?" The elder apparently named Obsidian said with a glare at Rose, holding out his talon in her face.
The human had enough of the elders greed, grabbing Valkyrie and slamming the ancient war-hammer's handle into the ground. The magical discharge from the blow forced the guards to back off and the populace to scream in fear. The village leader tried to run before Rose grabbed him by the collar and pressed his face against her own. The ice cold glare in the sanguine's eyes made the human shudder.
"You will not get a single bit more from the crown you greedy chicken " She said with a sneer.
"Your princess will hear of this you damn bloodsucker! I will have you all imprisoned!" Obsidian yelled, his fear seeping through his vain attempt at confidence.
"Celestia will not care, because we're here on the behalf of princess Luna. Now you either let us pass peacefully or I will have Nathaniel try out his weapon on you, and I promise you, it will hurt" The mare growled, throwing the elder back.
It took a moment for the griffon to collect himself, but with a growl he signed for the guards to back off. The entire village looked at them with disdain or fear, but for the group that didn't matter. Or at least it didn't matter to the three guardians and one wolf. Silver Page on the other hand seemed to shy away from the looks, keeping tight to Osiris side.
"Leave and do not come back! We don't like your kind here demons!" Obsidian finally yelled, Rose glaring at him.
"We will return, until then you will allow the Golden Stallion to be in your harbor. If we come back and find out you have hurt that crew in any way I will use my full authorization as a guardian to send soldiers here and take the village by force. Is this understood?" Rose said with a deep growl, the elder nodding quickly as he saw her fangs and almost glowing eyes.
With the problem taken care of the group pushed into the lush jungle right behind the village, the bat pony leading the charge with a determined expression. The human could clearly see how important Rose found this mission to be, not that he found it any less important. Yet the thoughts of the mission was slightly drowned out by the man's surprise and excitement over the power his new weapon held. But Nathan quickly pushed it below the surface for now, confused slightly over what Rose had said.
"Can you actually get the army to take the village?" He asked her and she gave him a slight grin.
"No, not without Luna or Celestia's approval. Nor would us taking the settlement be seen kindly by the griffin king. But they don't need to know that" The sanguine said as they started their trek into the jungle, the sounds of the village soon swallowed up by the large trees.
The jungle itself reminded Nate a lot of one he'd seen in pictures back on earth. The trees had thick branches and trunks, the long and wide green leaves almost covering all the sunlight in the forest. There was wines hanging from some trees, some purple and others green. Rose actively avoided the purple ones so the human followed her example. Osiris
Nathaniel saw however how Silver wasn't affected when she touched the wines. The succubus seemed to have no problem walking on every plant they came across while Rose and Osiris avoided them like the plague. The man saw some purple dotted brown mushrooms on the trail they followed, the ground beneath them walked on so many times that a path lead through the jungle. Nathaniel tried to poke them with his boot but was pulled away by Rose.
"Poisonous, don't even touch them. Those are some of Discord's less friendly creations.. Not deadly but extremely painful" The mare explained.
"What are they called?" The man asked, looking at Silver as she simply sniffed on one of them and then ate it.
"Painshrooms, not a very creative name but one that perfectly explains what they do" She said and watched as Silver spat one out.
"They smell sweet but taste horrible" The royal envoy informed them, the sanguine mare looking at her in disbelief.
"Yes they do.. And I guess poisonous substances doesn't affect demons" Rose said before hurrying down the trail to catch up with Blaze and Osiris.
"How long will it take until we reach the capital lord?.." The former maid asked Nathan.
"Two days perhaps? It was a lot of jungle on Luna's map. And call me Nathaniel, I'm not a lord of anything" The human responded and headed down the path with the succubus following.
"Then what are you? I have never seen such a creature as yourself" Silver Page asked and looked over him, trying to remember if Crystal Sword had ever spoken with such creatures.
"I am a human. As far as I know I'm the only human on this planet, so I am not surprised you don't know what I am" He responded with a small smile.
"How did you become a Guardian Nathaniel?" Silver asked him, the man starting to tell his tale.
The man looked into the orange flame of the campfire, the darkness setting over the jungle quite quickly. They had been walking for several hours before Osiris declared they would need to set up camp. The human had been quite relived that he could put down the heavy bags he had been carrying, helping the others with making a ring of stones. Once the fire had been lit started Osiris with making traps. The scout placed them around the camp to warn them of predators and catch small game for his two omnivore friends.
Their new succubus companion surprised them all by starting to sing in some ancient language, her beautiful singing voice filling the camp. The words almost put the man in a trance, his eyes fixated at the mare as she sang. Once Silver was done she looked surprised herself at even knowing the words, growing quiet for a few seconds before the teen clapped his hands at her performance. His reaction spread to his companions who also gave the succubus praise. The only one missing was Blaze, the wolf having wandered off to hunt.
"That was beautiful miss" Osiris said and took out some liquor, drinking some of it before before Rose snatched it.
"You should sing more often!" The sanguine said with a grin and took a swing of the bottle, gulping down half of it like it was nothing.
"What language even was that?" Nate questioned her, taking the bottle from the bat pony who responded with an annoyed 'hey!'.
"I'm not sure.. It just is there, in my head. I think it's something else he did to me.." The demoness mumbled and looked to the side.
Nathaniel had been briefly told by Rose what mare had been through. The sanguine hadn't known all the details, but she honestly didn't want to. From what he could understand had the mare been a normal maid until Sombra had grabbed her, turning her into a demon. Silver hadn't suffered any real physical damage from it, but her mind would take time to heal.
"I think it sounded beautiful at least" The man said with a small smile, making the royal envoy turn to him.
"Thank you" Silver said with a smile of her own, laying her head on the ground.
"Rest up, we'll need to move before sunrise. Tomorrow we either keep a good pace or.." The bat pony said, not needing to mention what would happen if they fail.
The man nodded and laid down, using one of the bags as a pillow. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep to the sound of the crackling fire. His dreams were filled of fire and laughter, the combination making him remember Sombra. The dreams quickly turned into nightmares for the young human, one in particular standing out. The dream had Luna hanging from the moon, screaming in pain as the black tendrils she hanged in tried to pull her apart. The black inky things reached all the way up to the princess satellite, like she was bound to it. Nathan ran and ran to get to her, to help her. But she was always to far away, always just out of reach.
The man awoke with a gasp, sitting up and holding his sweat covered head. The nightmare was still fresh in his mind, Luna's scream so real. Nate got up and looked around camp, seeing his companions fast asleep. Blaze had returned during the night, the wolf opening its eyes and yawning. Nathaniel's trusted beast got up and walked over to his owner, licking the human's hand. Nathan just sighed and petted the wolf's head, looking into the woods.
"I'll get more firewood, stay and guard the camp" He said to the wolf who nodded, laying down once again.
The human headed into the woods, picking up branches and sticks as he went. The only sound in the jungle was a few birds, an owl like sound being near their camp. He enjoyed the cool air of the Equestrian night, the slight cold helping him wake up. It was something he'd notice since he came to Equestria, that the air was so clean. Even in the dragon lands had it been better in some large cities on earth. At times he just wanted to drink it, feeling his lungs being filled with the cold air of the night.
It was then the man heard a branch snap, turning to the origin of the sound. Nathaniel didn't quite see what could have made the sound, but he was pretty certain he didn't want to know. Strange noises in the woods was never a good sign, especially in a jungle on a planet filled with fantasy creatures. The teen backed away and turned around, only to look into the open maw of some kind of beast. The man slowly looked up to face whatever had sneaked up on him, his breath growing shaky.
It was large, most likely two meters tall and two meters wide. Its body was covered in black fur, with some white spots on its head. It held six legs, the front legs having claw like appendages to grip onto things while the others lacked this feature. The head reminded him of an armadillo, with the fur there looking like armored plates. Its blue snake like eyes watched him with hunger, all six of them, three on each side. The long snout of the creature was split open like some sort of flower, revealing teeth at all four "petals" of its face. In the middle of the opened snout was a hole with rows upon rows with teeth in it, reminding him of a shark. The worst thing however was the three round tongues slowly slithering their way out of the beast's maw, followed by a great shriek.
The man had gotten a bit more tanned skin with all his months out in the sun, but he still grew a white pale. With a scream he ran from the beast, dropping the firewood collected. The beast shrieked once more and ran after him, it snout's four halves once again forming once solid structure as it ran after the teen. The claws of the beast tore into trees as it ran, shredding them.
Nathaniel dove under a fallen tree to put an obstacle behind him and the monster, the thing simply jumping over it. He could see the embers of the campfire further ahead screaming at his friends to wake up. It was all he had time doing before the monster was upon him, slamming him into the ground. He yelled out in pain and fear as the three tongues started to wrap around his head. The things held down one hand on his back to keep him still, the pressure making him scream in pain. The smell of death that came from the beasts open mouth made the teen hurl, grabbing a hold of the tongues and pulling on them.
It was made clear quite quickly for the man that it wouldn't work, feeling the tongues trying to drag him back into the teeth filled hole. Nathan was filled with adrenaline and fear, holding out one of his hands and closing his eyes. It was surprisingly easy for the teen to focus with a large monster trying to eat him.
"Solaris Mico!!!" Nathan screamed and a bright light erupted from his left hand, forcing the creature to back off.
The thing screamed in pain and held its smoking face, the spell having a similar effect on the monster as it had on Sombra. Nathaniel didn't bother to use more magic, now knowing it the thing was simply slowed down or actually hurt. The human ran once again towards the camp, a large fire lit in the middle of it. He could hear Rose screaming his name and pushed on, hearing the monster run after him once more.
The ponies and wolf awaited him with branches lit on fire, throwing one to the scarred teen. Nate caught it and turned around to see the beast advancing on their camp. It shirked and spat as it rushed them, its heavy arms coming down in an attempt to crush the human. Before it could so however was Osiris already by its side, the incredibly fast earth pony having coated his dagger in something that allowed it to burn. The flaming blade was brought into the beast's side and it gave a pained whine, a sound that made their bones shake.
Rose was next, batting at the damn thing with a flaming branch. Tuffs of fur caught on fire from the two guardians attacks with fire, making the thing scream in more pain but also making it more aggressive. The monster kicked Osiris onto the ground and slashed Rose's chest with one of its claws. The sanguine screamed in pain and fell to the floor, clutching her wound as Osiris got up and circled the beast.
Blaze growled and pounced at the monster, digging his teeth into one of its legs. The wolf immediately let go and puked, his body seemingly rejecting the black blood of the beast. The creature used that moment to swat the wolf away like a fly, sending Blaze skidding across the ground. The wolf quickly got up but kept away from the monster, growling and barking at it.
Nathaniel slammed his burning branch into the monster's face, the creature screaming in pain but continuing to walk towards the human. It slammed one of its hands into the man's chest, sending him flying backwards. He landed with a groan and looked up to see the beast pick up Osiris, chucking the stallion up into a tree. It then set all its eyes on the man, starting to run towards Nate.
The green eyed teen felt with his hands around him and realized he'd landed on their equipment. His hand found the long handle of Valkyrie with a shout of determination Nathaniel rolled out of the way. The beast descended on the place the man had been moments before, its claws digging into the dirt. With the monster's side showing Nathan swung the great war-hammer with all his might, the weapon light as a feather but harder than steel.
The impact sent the creature flying through two trees with a magical discharge following its wake, the green explosion of light looking a lot like vertical a mushroom cloud. The human panted loudly and watched with horror as the beast got up, the thing looking at them all with hatred before it ran off, black blood dripping from its sides. The cursed liquid from the beasts made the plants it landed on die and turn grey.
With knowledge that the thing was gone could Nathaniel breathe out, landing on his knees and dropping the war-hammer. He could see in the corner of his eye Silver Page, peeking out from a bush, looking scared half to death. The succubus saw them all injured and gasped, rushing over to see if they were ok.
"What. The. Hell. Was. That. Thing." Nate said and got up with a stumble.
"It was a damn RootEater kid! You found yourself a special one that eats meat apparently!" Osiris yelled from the tree as he tried to get down.
"RootEater? RootEaters are the size of a cat!" Rose yelled at the scout as she got up, holding her bleeding chest with a grimace.
"Well it seems like this one didn't want to obey rules" The earth pony grumbled as he got out of the tree.
Silver ran over to Rose with bandages and alcohol, the mare pouring some straight into her wound without screaming. The sanguine grabbed the bandages and with the succubus help started to patch herself up. Nathan just looked at her in awe for being able to even get a drop of liquor near the wound without falling to the floor in pain. The bat pony was not weak by any standards.
"We need to pack all our things and move again. We cannot risk that thing coming back" Osiris said and the human nodded, starting to force things back into saddle bags and his own bag. It didn't take long for him and the golden furred stallion to pack it all, Silver helping Rose with the wound.
"I can heal it for you" The human said to the injured mare who shook her head.
"Not here. Once we're a safe distance from that thing" She said and grabbed her saddle bags, hurrying towards the path.
With the group ready to go they all hurried down the path, making sure to look around for the dangerous creature. The human and his companions held no desire to be a midnight snack for the damn beast. Rose lead the way through the jungle even with her wound still bleeding, the bandages a clear red. The man tried to convince her several times to stop so he could heal it but the mare kept refusing, telling him to save his mana.
They had been walking for over an hour before the sanguine finally stopped for a break, Nathaniel not even asking for permission before starting to heal her. The teen could feel the strange dark feeling around the wound that he'd felt from Luna once she was brought into the castle. The damn beast had left corruption in Rose's wound.
The mare must have noticed his look and shook her head. She simply stood up as a green light closed the wound, the thing would be leaving a scar. Rose smiled and touched it, not feeling the same pain. The sanguine looked relieved to remove the bandage, tossing the blood soaked rags to the side.
"It won't affect me Nathan, I'm immune" She informed the man, Nate looking a bit skeptical.
"How are you immune? Luna is a freaking goddess and not even she could stand against the corruption" He exclaimed.
"The princess hold the blood of an Alicorn kid, not the blood of a demon" Osiris said as he watched the trees around them.
"We don't know if it's demon blood Osiris" Rose said and the stallion rolled his eyes.
"Um, can we please start walking again? I don't feel safe out here.." Silver Page said and Blaze seemingly agreed with her, whining and gesturing to the path.
The three guardians agreed and they all continued down the path, the sun slowly rising above the trees. The light helped some in the dark jungle but for most parts it was still hard to see for Nathaniel. He didn't like the idea of traveling in a forest with creatures like that, beasts infected with the same disease as Luna. The reminder of his friend screaming in pain made the human walk faster. They had a goal, they would not fail.
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I looked to Spectral Vision with a frown. The mage had refused to leave Broken Orchid's side, stubborn as a mule. I told him she would be fine with Crystal Sword watching over her, but of course he refused to listen to reason. The young stallion was fussing over her almost as much as her brother before I ordered him to pack, making him grow cold and distant again.
I knew he held a grudge over me leaving the mare behind, a decision I was not proud off. But he did not know the burdens of command, not like me and Violet Shield knew them. My commander had been angry when I ordered her to pack once again, telling her of Celestia's request. She insisted that we should write letters to the families of the fallen first, but I knew there was not much time for that. Where the princess wanted us to go we went.
The one most confused by the order was Minted Surprise however, the stallion thinking that we could relax for a couple of days and watch over the sick princess. I told the youngest of our squad that we were not Guardians, but diplomats and a strike force. We didn't hold any duties to protect Luna now when she was back in the castle and even if we did we would still have to finish our assignment.
Spectral was the most pissed off about us going to watch over the construction of the towers and fortresses over the Celestial sea, not seeing the mutants remotely as a threat. While I fully agreed that the tribes of mutants were to disorganized to be a real threat it was still a symbolic gesture to keep them away from the seas, showing our allies that we had their backs and all that.
Though I had heard of the tribes growing more and more aggressive, hinting at some kind of military structure being built. I didn't even know if they had chosen a leader yet, not having requested reports of such activity in the far south. The most immediate threat to our nation had been the crystal empire, which is why Celestia sent me there. It was not my duty to care about what the Dark Kingdom or Griffins did about the savages, but I guess it was now.
The ship we had been given was named the Spellbinder . It had once been one of Princess Platinum's private ships, but with the mare over sixty years old and almost senile had the it been given to the military without much resistance. The vessel was written in Spectral Vision's name, my expert on magic having upgraded the old cruise ship with his own salary. I still didn't understand why he wanted to own the damn thing so badly, but I had allowed him purchase it, now being his but still being part of the Equestrian military.
The Spellbinder was relatively small for a ship, only requiring around seven ponies to maneuver and maintain it. With Spectral's spells and runes it only needed one, the captain. The stallion had used his skills to improve the ship expertly. The thing was smaller than the Golden Stallion , a brig of respectful size, yet it could take a lot more damage before sinking. My scout had ensured that the wood was strong before carving runes into all the sides of the ship. The things glowed everything from yellow to red and almost hummed as the ship sailed across the water.
The runes he'd implemented into the ship were made to not only work as shields but also as extra hooves. Some runes helped unrolling the sail when needed to then drag it back up. Others seemingly just helped the captain of the vessel concentrate on certain tasks, like sharpening his focus or telling him of dangers below the surface. Yet one of the more impressive features of the ship was the captains quarters, where Spectral slept.
The young purple furred unicorn had put thousands of bits into the ship and that was even more clear when one looked at his personal quarters. In the middle of the largest room on the ship was a war table, yet not like the ones the princesses would have in the castle or on their journeys. Where Celestia or Luna would mark political or military things of interest would Spectral mark down locations with magical or spiritual value.
I always found it interesting how he carved his own weird wooden figures and placed them on the map, the figures representing the "feel" of the place,, even if he had never been there. Beyond the war table there was shelves filled with books on magical theory and artifacts, most of them secured with rope and similar things to not fall over in a storm or battle.
The artifacts varied from old swords used by some former world leader to red crystals whispering to you. Said crystal was kept in a special compartment, apparently hindering it from "growing", whatever that meant. There was at times I wondered if Spectral was more knowledgeable on magic than the arch mage, seemingly having an answer to most things even if he couldn't do them on his own.
My thoughts about the stallion and his ship was disturbed as we finally set out towards the seas, heading towards the first watch tower a few miles away. The journey would be quite quick with the Spellbinder compared to other ships, but that didn't mean it wouldn't take a few hours to get there.
The scout my mind had been focused on were quite busy checking over the ship so that all things were correct, not wanting to leave anything to chance with his favorite vessel on the line I suppose. Minted Surprise helped him with whatever he ordered and I allowed it, knowing this ship was the scout's domain and not my own. Violet Shield had decided to fall asleep below deck, leaving us alone with the silent sea around us.
"Sir, do you think the princess fear about the griffons will prove true?" Minted asked me as he carried some rope to Spectral that quickly tied it around the mast.
"It's possible. They seemed to be more on edge when we passed through with the Golden Stallion , but if they are planning something it won't be more than an attempt to take some fishing villages on the coast. They don't hold the magical expertise to break down our walls or defend themselves against our mages" I informed the private who saluted in response.
"If those damn pigeons try to attack some of our fishing villages again I will personally roast them" The white maned unicorn grumbled as he fixed things with the rope and I shook my head.
"With the princess having formed a proper alliance through building a few watch towers I am certain they wouldn't want to shake the peace. Beyond that wouldn't they earn much out of a betrayal, not with the Dragons on our side" I informed my squad.
"I suppose your right my Lord" Scout Vision said before heading up to the helm once again, sterring us towards our destination.
"I will rest for a few hours, keep eyes on the sea private" I ordered Minted who saluted once again as I headed below deck.
The ship was filled with crates of Star Swirls strange papers and inventions Spectral had been given, his former mentor thinking the scout had a better use of them than him. While the gesture had been kind were some of the things to strange to ever work. The best example that came to mind was one of the wizards most famous proposals, flying ships. The mere idea was so strange and unheard of it had been dismissed by most of his fellow scholars, not that it had any effect on him bribing it up with different ambassadors.
The old mage had so many strange ideas in his younger days, now most of them were Spectral's, the young stallion tasked with finding use for them. While I didn't doubt some of the arch mage's inventions would be useful (like the idea of sewage) couldn't I for the life of me see the reason with flying ships of spoons mixed with forks. I just let my mind rest as I found a room and laid down on one of the beds, letting sleep embrace me quite quickly.
I would wake to the sound of Violet yelling my name. I got up in one fluid motion and headed out from the room, past the boxes with oddities and up to the main deck. The same second I went up the steps I could hear the sound of many voices from far away, my ears flicking at the noise. When I finally showed myself I saw Private Surprise looking upon the great tower that had been built with the help of both armies.
I was impressed by how sturdy the tower looked, the stone so polished it didn't look like blocks but rather like one large piece of a mountain. I could see a few windows at the top of the tower where a few griffins had stuck out their head to see our ship approach the small port at the base of the structure. We lowered our anchor and and the wooden platform required to step onto land.
The tower was a long wide cylinder with a even larger square on top. The tower rested on a large stone platform that the port was attached to. We were greeted by a earth pony stallion grinning widely. He bore the armor of a soldier but not the posture of one. It seemed being far away from our more strict captains and commanders had made them either too relaxed or lazy.
"Welcome Lord Protector to tower Ygrid! Named after the Griffins gods of war you see" The white coated stallion said with a smile and shook my hoof as I got off the Spellbinder .
"I've come to see how the construction of the towers and fortresses are going. But from what I see you are done" I said and eyed the tower with some suspicion.
"All the structures have been done for a few days. What remains are some tests and to name the commander of each structure" The stallion told me with another smile.
"I will have to check up on the other buildings, but thank you for telling me" I replied and turned around.
"I hope that the princess will feel better soon. We all heard she is very sick from the griffin supply ships" The soldier said and I nodded very slowly, hurrying up on deck.
"Squad. War room. Now." I said simply and moved inside, the ponies following me.
"Something feels off Silver. They shouldn't know about Luna, even with the griffins here having stopped us a few days prior. I don't like how that stallion didn't even seem to know we'd been here briefly before, like he was never here when it happened" Spectral Vision said and I nodded.
"Agreed. The only way our soldiers here would know of Luna is though outside sources, but if that source comes from across the ocean.." I said with a grumble.
"It would mean someone must have informed the Griffin Kingdom about the princess suffering from the corruption, when only a few actually know this fact" My scout said.
"That means spies, and good ones at that. Celestia only picked trusted servants to know about Luna being sick, and even then were all guards and servants sent away so Luna could be brought inside without anypony seeing her" Violet chimed in.
It was becoming more and more clear that something was wrong. I didn't know just what it was yet, not with so many questions still unanswered. I knew our fleet was currently in the far west, clearing up the pirates and bandits having taken that coast from us. But I didn't feel safe with them so far away, several days having to be spent for them to travel back.
"Act like nothing is wrong for now. Send a letter to Celestia that she needs to call back as many soldiers as she can, if she haven't already given the order. I feel like something bad is coming" I said with a mutter and the private saluted, hurrying off to write a letter and attach it to a raven.
"Let the gods look upon us in favor, we will need it" The commander said and I could only nod, feeling like eyes were watching me at every corner.
Nathaniel's POV
"It's close" Nathan said, sitting on his knees.
"We're close to the capital now, we shouldn't stop" Rose responded to the meditating human, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
He wanted to say something in response, maybe tell her that they needed the damn thing dead before it hurt someone else. But he didn't get the chance, a loud shriek echoing over the jungle. Nate didn't need any encouragement to get up and start running, his companions already a few meters ahead of him. They all had been walking for hours before finding the body of a deer, the thing mauled by something. After "looking" at it with his magic had the man confirmed the feeling of corruption within it, all of them keeping some distance to it.
They had found many signs of the creature on the path after that, more dead animals, claw marks on trees, bits of black blood and actual RootEaters keeping away from said signs. The teen liked the small cat sized RootEaters more than their corrupted cosine, the smaller ones having green fur and a snout that couldn't sprout open like a flower. They also only had four normal legs, which made their six pair of eyes one of the more weird things about them.
It had been close to mid day when the man had wanted them to take a break and meditate, looking around at their surroundings using his magic. As expected they were now running, the creature having been more closer than it had seemed. Nathaniel didn't like the sense of panic it brought running from a creature that could easily squish him, even with a weapon blessed by a goddess on his back.
They ran for what felt like several minutes before finally seeing a break among the foliage, light pouring in from the outside. Blaze was the first to run out from the jungle with the two mares following him. Nate and Osiris broke out of the jungle's grasp just as the monster were starting to catch up to them. The human and stallion ran for their lives as the thing broke through the jungle, its snout open as it shirked.
The rode to the capital city was a simple dirt road over grassy plains. The city itself was surrounded by a great wall made out of black rock, it seemed to reach at least twenty meters in height. The grass around them seemed to a very bright green but grew a lot darker the closer to the Dark Kingdom's capital you got. The road they currently stood on lead to a grand gate made from black wood, currently open.
As they ran down the road with the monster running after them seemed the guards in the city sound some kind of alarm and all that was outside rushed towards it in fear. The monster screamed in frustration over its prey unwillingness to die so it leaped towards Nathan. One of its long tongues wrapped itself around the human's left hand and pulled him backwards, sending him onto the ground. The man were pulled against the open maw of the beast and with a detriment yell he grabbed his sword and cut of the tongue in one great fluid motion, black blood raining over him.
The monster screeched in pain and backhanded the human, sending him flying before hitting the grassy ground with a roll. His sword landed a few meters away from the teen, forcing him to grab Valkyrie from his back and take a defensive position. His companions were now further away, Rose, Osiris and Blaze running towards him while Silver looked frozen in complete fear. They stopped in their tracks as the man held up his hand. Out of all of them was he the only one with a weapon that could end this quickly. Beyond that didn't he want Rose to get hurt again or for anyone else to become mauled by the monster.
"Come on then you ugly son of a bitch!" He yelled at the corrupted RootEater which shirked in response and ran for him.
The impact between Nathan and the beast was a rough one. Even with Valkyrie to block the damn thing did it still send the human back a few meters, the beast running for him the same second he came to a stop. Nathaniel had enough at that point, tilting his body to the side and swinging the war-hammer at the beast just before it reached him. The hit once again created a minor magical explosion that sent the beast into the ground, tearing up a lot of grass.
The battle between the monster and human grew more and more intense for each time it rushed Nate. The black haired man doing his best to deflect any attack or side step it entirely. It didn't give him many opportunities to hit it, but for each strike the teen delivered with Valkyrie the monster grew weaker, its attack s not carrying the same ferocity. They both came to a stand still with the ground below them torn up form the fighting, Nathaniel breathing hard while the monster looked at him with hatred.
The beast gave off a great shriek before making a final desperate rush, heading straight for the human with its claws ready to impale him. Nathaniel gripped a hold of the handle's end with both his hands, pulled the war-hammer behind his head and then used all his strength to bring it down on the monster's head. He could hear and feel the head crush under the war-hammer, more black blood coating his clothing. The thing spammed for a second before growing still, finally dead. It was like with the deer back in the woods, quick and simple kill.
With a pant he pulled back the war-hammer and rested on its weight, sinking down onto his knees. Nathan felt as Rose and Osiris rushed up and hugged him with laughter, his two friends as satisfied as him with his victory over the monster. Blaze ran up to them but refused to go near the blood soaked human, but at least he gave him some encouraging barks. Even Silver Page joined them, the mare showering him in praise over saving their lives.
After the man grabbed his sword they headed for the gates, the things being opened slowly to reveal a large mass of ponies. The guards climbing down the walls looked at them all in amazement, some whispering about the royal envoy, seeing her demonic features. It didn't take long for the ponies to start stomping their hooves down into the ground, cheers and applauds ringing out among the crowd.
A bat pony stallion dressed in red armor hurried up to them bearing a surprised smile on his face. His grey mane and coat made him fit in among the black and grey buildings around them with red highlights. As they looked around they could see all from towers to houses all around them, the city seemed enormous. The stallion noticed Rose's medallion and grinned, lifting a fore arm and motioning to the crowd and city.
"Welcome to the city of Garthram Guardians of the night!" He yelled over the applauding ponies.
The amount of praise thrown their way was almost too much for the man, but only almost. The human raised Valkyrie into the air and grinned, this victory being one of his first in this land of magic. He really hoped it wouldn't be the last.
Celestia's POV
I looked at the letter sent by the lord protector with a sigh. Something was happening in the world, a new age was upon us, I could feel it. I felt a headache coming on and I got up from my throne, waving off my guards. I needed to see Luna. She hadn't been getting better with light magic near her. She refused to open her eyes, claiming the light stung like a thousand swords dragging across her skin. She'd said that during one of her more lucid episodes, she mostly just trashed and moaned in pain.
I felt tears in the corner of my eyes as I opened the door to the chamber she was placed in. Her mane clung to her body like seaweed and her breaths was raspy. She'd been forced to eat and drink by the unicorn healers, one miss Nightingale very knowledgeable in how reducing pain. But even with some of the best medical care one could get in the known world were she still dying, slowly fading away each day.
My hoof ran over over Luna's head as she whimpered, my gaze holding nothing but sadness. She used to laugh so beautifully and live her life to the fullest. Now she lied on her deathbed, and I could do nothing but watch. I prayed to any god that wanted to listen for her Guardians success, that they would bring back the water needed to save my sisters life. I stood by her side for several minutes before finally pulling away and walking out of the room, heading to the gardens.
My small journey took me to Discord's statue, looking upon the petrified darconequus. I wanted to do anything, smash it, send it away, cover it with a blanket or teleport it to the sun. But I knew it would have no use, I knew deep down doing any of those things wouldn't help my sister.
"Ohhhh! Have you finally come to visit me Celestia? I do have to say it have been a while since we last spoke" The mad god said with his normal happy tone.
"She's dying. Luna is dying" I said, my voice and head low.
"Well that's one way to ruin a good mood" Discord said through my mind with a put off tone of voice.
"Don't you care?" I asked, anger slowly building up inside my chest.
"Of course I care! What do you take me for, a monster? But what do you want me to do about it when I'm made out of rock? Or have you come for a barging? Oh that is so unlike you Celestia" He said and I growled deeply.
"There will not be any barging with you Discord, never again" I said darkly and walked away from the statue, a last whisper ringing out through my head.
"We will see Celstia.. We will see.."
Author's Note
HALFWAY POINT AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
I actually got here, I'm fifty percent done. Hot damn I didn't think I would get here before Christmas. Thank you all for reading the chapter and for all of you that have been sticking with the story so far!
Chapter Sixteen: The angel and the temple
The man walked down the streets of Garthram with his companions following behind him. Nathaniel found the city to be beautiful, the dark and grey buildings being in so many different shapes and sizes. Some houses they passed where very narrow but tall, reaching at time seven stories while others where extremely wide but not very tall. The mismatched buildings out the city outskirts fit their inhabitants, the ponies of the dark kingdom bearing demon like appearance.
Some ponies they went past held yellow or red eyes, the colours almost glowing. Others held small horn like protrusions on their foreheads, the white bones looking pretty sharp. They all had darker coloured coats, the mares especially, some of them blending into the shadows with their black manes and bodies. It made Rose look colourful in comparsion, which was saying something considering she was grey.
When the group passed through a market did their bat pony guide point to places of interests, like statues of their gods or shrines dedicated to them. The most colourful places where just those shrines, having so many different coloured pieces of cloth sown around them they almost lit up the streets around them. The guard leading them around offered them more tours of each place later, but was declined by Rose. They had work to do.
After telling their guide of their need to see the Empress were they brought towards the royal palace immediately, walking through districts where the houses looked nicer and more symmetrical. The palace itself could be seen in the distance, looking more like a temple to honor the gods than the living space of the ruling family. The thing held six towers, one at each corner and two in the middle. Its roof was flat with what looked like a garden on top of it, flowers and trees resting on the palace roof. The roof was held up by great black pillars and beyond them the four walls making up the shell of the empress home. All around the palace where there stairs leading up to it, making it look even more like a temple. The two silver gates however stood out the most, even from far away. They seemed to start from the ground and reach the roof, covered in indicate designs of stars and deities.
"Your city is very beautiful" Nathaniel said with a small smile and the stallion ahead of them nodded.
"It truly is honored Guardian. We have kept it safe for generations against filthy Mutants and greedy Griffins" The guard said with pride as they walked past a large white mansion.
"That is the home of the Equestrian ambassador. She's been very sick lately my lord, barely even leaves that house" They were informed, Osiris letting his eyes flick to the place before looking at Nathaniel with discomfort.
Something was wrong, yet the scout didn't seem to want to share the information of what was wrong out in the open. Rose caught his look and frowned, the mare showing clear suspicion of the buildings around them. Even Blaze was starting to get agitated when they walked past the ambassador's home. They would have to see what was wrong later, right now they needed that water for Luna and to allow Silver to deliver Crystal Sword's message.
Nathaniel was even more impressed by the palace when they got closer to it. The garden on top of the building was truly an impressive display of art. The different battles and gods carved into the pillars holding up the roof were also impressive, being detailed enough for the human to think it must have taken years to get it all done. The outside didn't do justice to the inside however, the sudden golden and red colours assaulting the young man's mind.
The inner hall of the palace had a long red carpet running through it, the thing looking a bit old but still well kept. The walls were adored with paintings of the inhabitants gods, one of them called "Deus" drew the teen's attention. The painting depicted a stallion with extremely fluffy blue fur. His orange eyes seemed to hold a certain madness to them and it was with good reason, the world burning around him. The title given to the stallion in the picture was "God Of Madness", something awfully fitting for the stallion's look.
Another god from the dark ponies (as Nathan had come to call them) pantheon was someone called Minnelia. She was depectied as a succubus with red mane and grey coat, her eyes holding a bright green tint to them. It was almost like the painting was watching him, following his every move. The title given to the succubus was very fittingly "Goddess Of Lust". The gods of the Dark Ponies seemed to mostly embody negative emotions or acts, only a few standing out as their god of love or their god of light.
The walk down the long hall had more than just paintings however, many statues littering the place as well. The statues seemed to be that of former rulers, most of them being empresses with the exception of one or two emperors. They all were made out of white marble which clashed with the black marble floor, a choice most likely made for that reason. One statue stood out as the mare depicted had striking similarities to Silver, having the horns of a succubus along with the demonic tail.
"Empress Doniella Black. Commander of the demonic army, lover of Solarium, mother of Empress Broken Sky, High Mother of the succubi and defender of the faith" The guard said as he noticed the human's interest in the statue.
"Was she the first empress?" He asked as they walked towards two blood red gates, guards on each side of the great entrance.
"The first, and the greatest" The guard responded before the gates opened, revealing a large throne room.
Upon that throne sat a mare with a white coat and black mane. Her brown eyes had what looked to be mascara under them, her mane was braided around the large silver crown resting on her head, her body was wrapped in a thick red cape and her expressionless face made the human grip his sword tightly.
"Presenting Guardians for the Lunar Princess and Royal Envoy of the Crystal King!" A mare called out from somewhere and the sound of hundreds of metal clad hooves saluting made the teen flinch.
They were surrounded by guards on each side of the throne room, all of their eyes on the group. The throne room was made out of white marble, with the red carpet leading up to the elevated throne having pillars on each side of it. The ceiling was beautiful, having been painted by someone who loved the sky. It was a mix of the night and day, the sky holding a deep blue or midnight black in a swirl of colours with some stars dotting over the ceiling. It was a balance between the two forces, an unbreakable harmony. What Celestia and Luna should be.
"Welcome Guardians. I expect you have a good reason to leave your princess's side" The empress suddenly called out, her voice carrying through out the chamber.
"You are correct Your Majesty. We have come for the temple of Shadows, we need some of its holy water to heal our charge" Rose said, the Empress expression going from a cold mask to genuine surprise.
"Has the mistress of the night fallen victim to the corruption? Yet it can still be cured by your spell-weavers, unless.." The ruler of Garthram said.
"The infection started in her heart Your Worship! She will die without that water!" Osiris yelled and Rose gave him a glare.
"I see.. I understand the severity of this situation, but I cannot allow you access to the Temple of Shadows, our most holy sanctum" She said and the human couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"W-What!? If you don't give us that water Luna will die!" Nathaniel yelled and stepped before the Empress, Rose biting back a growl.
"I did not know Celestia had apes trained, but clearly I've been mistaken about what your kind can do" The white coated mare said, looking at the human with mild amusement, like he was some kind some zoo animal.
"I killed a monster to get into your city miss, I've really have had enough for one day" The teen growled before suddenly being pulled back by Rose.
"Nathaniel! You represent Equestria! Do not yell at other rulers!" The sanguine hissed but was silenced as the Empress raised her hoof.
"You killed the corrupted RootEater roaming the woods? My guards had hunted that beast for weeks without success. Perhaps you might be worthy after all.." The mare said and got up and walked down the stairs leading up to her throne.
"But I want to speak with your Royal Envoy. If my nephew have sent me a letter then I must look at it, if you do not mind Lady?.." The ruler said and went past the three guardians.
"Silver Page Your Worship" The succubus squeaked out and the empress smiled.
"I feel honored for having a letter delivered by one of the old ones" She said and took the letter handed to her by Silver, opening it.
Nathan couldn't quite get it into his head how little this mare seemed to care if Luna lived or not. She seemed to show more concern over that Luna even had attracted the disease than the fact that she might die from it. The green eyed teen let his hand rest on Valkyrie as he watched the Dark Pony read the letter from Crystal Sword.
"My nephew says you speak the truth about the princess illness, that you must be granted entry to our most holy building" Garthram's ruler said and looked to Nathaniel.
"Only you will be granted access, with watch of our high priest and guards. You will take the water needed from the well, but not a drop more. If you attempt to steal anything from the temple my guards will kill you" The empress finally said and the human let go of Valkyrie's handle with relief.
"Follow me Guardian Ape, I will show you to our temple" She said and walked towards another coupe of gates, the man giving his companions a look before following her.
Whatever the water in this well could do it better had to be good. Luna's life hanged in the balance, and he would not fail her again. The image of the princess scumming to the disease made him shudder and hurry after the royal mare, twenty guards following after him.
Lord Protector Silver Wings's POV
I looked at the fortress with skepticism, seeing only griffins patrol the small island it was resting on. It was worrying not seeing any of our own soldiers on the fortress still within our borders, especially since every commander we had met was a griffon, not a single pony. I knew that the agreement was at least four pony commanders in the towers and fortresses across the sea, so where had they gone.
"All tools I have with me indicate a spike in magical activity to the east, where the griffins have their largest and most well armed base. This fortress is said to look like a sand castle in comparison according to our soldiers in the first tower" Spectral said from my right, a slow nod being drawn from me.
How could this project become such a mistake? We had the same amount of soldiers on the sea as the griffins yet something had clearly gone wrong. I saw Minted Surprise walk up to our ship from land, his worried face telling me all I needed to know.
"They said all workers and soldiers where called back home. But such a order was never given by Celestia sir, she had called home the navy and those troops spread out in the north. Every soldier and worker in the towers and fortresses were asked to wait" He said and I felt dread creep over my mind.
"Tell them we're done here Commander Shield and that we will head for the fourth tower, we cannot remain here anymore" I said and the mare hurried off to tell the griffin commander our goals.
"There are meant to be ropes for the ships everywhere my lord, but I can only see a few. The same goes for left over constriction materials, not even our best mages could clean up this quickly.." The unicorn stallion said and I felt my wings twitch.
"Perhaps they just dumped it all in the ocean? Griffins aren't known to be cheap, so why would they care abut a few bricks and rocks?" Minted asked.
"Just keep all wards and spells powered up Spectral, I feel a storm coming" I told my scout who nodded and hurried back to the helm.
Violet joined us fairly quickly, pulling up the platform and helping Spectral pull away from land. She looked tense and cast glances towards the island as we sailed across the water towards our next destination. I couldn't help but to do the same, feeling like the world was just waiting to release a storm of bad things our way.
"Some of the griffin soldiers speak a bit loudly, too loudly. I overheard something about their navy but that was it, meaning it might just have been small talk or something important" She said and I sighed.
"Just be ready for anything, we do not want to be attacked out here. Our borders or not, without our navy close by it won't matter what flag he have" I said and the commander nodded, heading below deck.
"Lord Protector, what if they have sized control of all towers and fortresses? Holding our boys hostage? The griffins wouldn't only earn a military advantage but things they could trade with. They know we cannot go to war, so why not use this opportunity to bleed us dry of bits?" The unicorn at the helm said.
"We cannot go to war YET, but Celestia have started to call back our troops. No this is more than just getting some free military bases and money" I grumbled and looked to the horizon, seeing the next tower being far away.
"Do you think they know that the princess is calling back our soldiers sir?" Minted asked and I shrugged.
"If they do it doesn't seem to phase them in the slightest, which worries me. They're so sure they'll come out on top they don't care if we're prepared or not.." I told my squad and let my wing rest on the spear of Arx.
The weapon had been my father's, made by him and his fellow pegasi to match the unicorn's magic. The sky metal weapon had been never been used in such a way however, peace having been found between the races before a war could break out. Yet that didn't mean it wouldn't come in handy now, the weapon powerful enough to knock back an armored Yak running towards you at full speed.
I had been given the weapon by my father on his deathbed. I had acceded the ranks in the army to be granted the title of Solar Guardian, my father had been so proud that day, the look in his eyes when Celestia gave me the medallion in the shape of a sun. He'd fallen ill not too long after that, his final wish being that I would protect my princess and country at any cost. It was only after I swore on my mother's grave he let me have the spear. He had smiled and told me I would become greater then him one day. Then he died.
I was disturbed from my path down memory lane when Minted gave me our daily ration of food. I thanked the private and started to eat, the tomatoes tasting a little bitter but not bad. I knew we would have to return sooner or later from this journey, considering that we had only brought with us food for a couple of days. The second day was coming to an end, the sun in the sky heading towards the horizon. It framed the fourth black tower in a beautiful red hue, making me think of the old ruins in the Mutants desert.
Once we finally reached the tower could I only see griffins, not a single pony. Commander Shield was the one to head down the wooden platform once more, asking the griffon in charge where our workers and soldiers had gone. She spoke with the leader before heading back quickly, looking back towards the armed soldiers.
"Same story my Lord. They say our soldiers and workers have gone home" Violet told me and I growled, looking to Minted who was watching the sea from the railing.
Whatever he saw made him pale, the young stallion heading towards the captains quarters with his eyes filled with fear. I didn't need to ask him what he had seen, it didn't matter right now. It meant we couldn't be near the tower any longer and that we should head for the next fortress.
I gave Spectral the sign and helped Violet pull back the platform onto the ship. The Griffins seemed confused over how little time we spent there but I couldn't care less, we needed to get away quickly. My scout steered the ship away from the tower only for the griffin commander to land on our deck, his eyes scanning us for any sort of signs.
"You are very eager to leave Lord Protector? Are you certain you cannot wait a few more minutes?" He asked me, my eyes starring back into his own.
"We have limited time for each place commander, you must understand we cannot spend to much time on any of the towers" I said and watched as more griffins soldiers landed on deck.
Spectral was making sure to gain as much distance between the black tower and the Spellbinder as possible. I looked at the armed soldiers and saw Minted walk out from Spectral's personal quarters. He saw the griffins and gave me a look that screamed "trouble!", something I took to heart as I let my wing wrap around the spear hanging from my side.
"Yes of course, but you see, we NEED you to stay behind Lord Protector. There has been an accident at the second fortress and you cannot go there right now" He said and I narrowed my eyes, my silver coloured mane hitting my snout in the wind.
"And if we refuse to stop?" I said calmly, seeing Spectral's horn ablaze as he powered up a spell.
"Then there will be trouble" The griffon growled and I didn't hesitate, grabbing the spear of Arx.
The sudden blast of magic hitting one of the soldiers in the face caught his squad off guard, letting me slash towards the commander with the sky metal weapon. The impact from the spear sent the griffon flying straight into the mast. Violet and Minted both took down the rest of the griffins with quick slashes of their weapons, sending them onto the deck in a pool of blood.
"Sir! I saw our workers and guards when we stopped at the tower! They had tied ropes around rocks and then attached our soldiers to them! They drowned them! They threw them into the sea!" Minted yelled and I swore loudly, looking at the commander as he got up and tried to crawl away.
I walked towards him slowly, letting the tip of my spear drag through the deck as I finally stood over him. The griffon turned around and screamed in fear as I sunk the spear into his chest, blood pouring around him to form a puddle. I enjoyed seeing the light leave his eyes, seeing the damn traitor spasm before finally dying.
"Silver! We cannot return to Equestria!" Spectral suddenly yelled and I looked back at him in confusion, my confusion slowly turning into fear.
From both directions ships came sailing through the water, bearing the flag of the griffin nation. Their fleet had taken control of the sea, they had used our alliance as an excuse to build these damn structures to then steal them. They effectively had a blockade that separated the two halves of the Celestial sea, and the two sisters castle was on their side.
"Spectral! Use your fancy runes and get us out of here!" I yelled to the unicorn and he nodded, the Spellbinder started to sail faster with the runes carved into its wood, the magic seemingly giving it a strong push over the water.
Yet even when we outran the fleet were we not out of danger, a green blast from above barley missing us. Spectral yelled out in surprise and turned away from the steaming water, fish floating up to the surface where the beam had hit, boiled alive. We couldn't see what had fired the blast, but it didn't do so again, meaning we must have escaped the griffins for now.
"What's your orders my lord? Where should we go?" The stallion at the helm yelled at me, I looked to the Griffin kingdom to the east, growling.
"They have betrayed Equestria and a promise made to the world council. Head for the Dragons Spectral! We will show them what happens when you become an enemy of Equestria" I said coldly, the unicorn heading towards the draconian land.
Nathaniel's POV
He looked at the black temple in slight intimidation. It reminded him of one of those Greek ruins he'd seen pictures of back at earth. Though this wasn't a ruin, it looked really maintained and polished. The walls were sleek and almost shined in the afternoon sun, reflecting the golden orb as it headed towards the horizon. They would need to sleep in the city before heading back towards the Golden Stallion .
The temple had two large doors made out of black marble that slowly opened as the empress approached. A mare dressed in red robes with five horn like protrusions on her forehead waited for them, eyeing the human with suspicion. Her blue mane and yellow coat looked like they had been bleached, her entire appearance a bit dull. But her red eyes held such a spark of life the man almost wanted to look away, like she would see through his soul otherwise.
"Why have you brought this creature here?" The priestess asked the empress who bowed.
"Holy keeper of the well, this being seeks water for the princess of the night, to heal of the corruption's evil grip" The ruler said and the priestess bowed as well.
"If you consider this creature worthy then I will not question your will Darkest Dreams, but if he steals anything.." The mare dressed in red growled and the empress nodded.
"Then my guards will cut him down" The leader informed and the human bit back a growl.
'I'd like to see them try..' He thought and followed after empress Dreams.
The large chamber they found themselves in were filled with glass display cases on both their left and right side. They were filled with old urns, rusted swords, strange glowing books and jewelry which made the human feel dread by looking at them. The floor was made out of a black rock like substance but it was almost to black, like all light was sucked into it and not let go. The curved ceiling was made out of the same material, making him almost want to cling to the walls that were made out of marble.
The floor was covered in a red carpet like the Palace, but this one seemed very old, having words written on its edges that didn't look like anything he'd seen in Luna's books. It was almost enthralling just trying to pronounce them, his mark glowing brightly before the priestess suddenly spoke.
"The well, our container for Darnim's tears" She said, the teen having no idea who Darnim was.
The well itself was at the end of the room, looking more like a pool than any well he'd seen. It was decorated beyond belief, gems and golden coins fused into the grey edges of it. The mare that had lead them to the well grabbed a small glass bottle (one that looked a lot like what Starswirl would use for his potions) and dipped it into the water. She filled it so slowly and carefully Nathan wondered if the water itself was made out of glass, seeing how the priest were trying not to break it.
After she had filled the bottle she out a cork on it. The yellow maned mare whispered a few words in a language Nate didn't understand, a symbol briefly appeared on the bottle, looking a lot like a red glowing pentagram. Finally she handed the thing to the human, the man taking it and looking it over.
"A holy gift to your princess, to cure her of a disease we all hate" The priestess said and he nodded, putting the bottle into his bag.
"I will have rooms made available for all you. You can rest and then leave my city" Darkest Dream's said and walked away, the human following her.
Once they walked out of the temple was the doors closed behind them, and for some reason Nathan felt like he would never see them again. He ignored the feeling and made sure to keep up with the empress, starting to feel hope blossom in his chest. He had the water, they could save Luna's life. Now they only needed to get back home, they were almost at the journey's end.
Rose's POV
Once Nathaniel was taken to the temple of shadows I immediately left for the ambassador's home. Osiris had told me that the guards watching from the windows had been griffins, something that was not right. We had sent our ambassador with twenty new guards from Canterlot's academy, all of them given orders to watch over Peace Treaty and keep any strangers away from her.
Osiris had asked where the griffins had come from and the guard that had guided us through the city had responded with a mutter about how the ambassador had one day just showed up with them, telling the empress that the griffins would protect her now. They had no clue where the original guards had gone, only that they were no longer in Garthram.
I almost felt as paranoid as Celestia when I approached the white mansion. I could see a griffon's beak from one of the windows and I growled, heading to the front door. I knocked loudly on the door and held my knives hidden within my wings just to be safe. When the door was opened by a griffon I could see a flash of uncertainty run over his eyes before he cleared his throat.
"Ambassador Peace is very sick ma'am, she is taking no visitors" He said and I out on the sweetest smile I could muster.
"I'm certain we can some to some sort of an agreement? I mean, I don't want to tell Celestia that a group of Griffins didn't let me see the ambassador" I told him and his eyes flicked to the moon amulet around my neck.
He looked to be struggling with forming words for a second, his brown feathers puffing up for a second like he was trying to look intimidating. He was handsome for a griffon, I'd give him that. His blue eyes and brown body giving him a sleek look, even if the ugly bronze armor he was wearing made him look a little small. But handsome or not, he was shit at lying. It was clear that the ambassador was not sick, that something else was going on.
"I deeply apologize for not seeing your status earlier Guardian. I will inform Lady Peace of your arrival" The young griffon said and hurried down the hall to the right.
I didn't wait and took the hall to the left, walking past white coloured walls with portraits of the Griffin kings. Why would they be here? Furthermore, why hadn't we heard about this sudden change in guards until now. We had simply thought the lack of letters from the Dark Kingdom meant our Ambassador finally took some time off, but it seemed it was a much more nefarious reason for her lack of letters than a simple break.
I hid in the shadows whenever a griffon guard came close, using the darkness of the house to my advantage. It didn't take long for them to start looking for me, running down the well decorated halls yelling something about "sanguine scum". I had never really like Griffins, to aggressive in bed for my liking. But the more I saw how many Griffin paintings and statues littered the place the more I started to realize they hadn't just kicked out the pony guards, they had turned this into their own home.
I growled and let my sensitive hearing track their movement, making my way up a couple of stairs when I heard the sobbing. It was the voice of a mare, a distressed one at that. I quickly hurried over to a locked door, using my knife to destroy the lock. I hurried inside and saw our ambassador, on the floor. Her turquoise coat and dark blue mane was dirty, looking like she hadn't taken a bath in weeks. She looked malnourished and weak.
"By the gods... Peace.." I said and she turned around with wide eyes.
"Lieutenant Thorn! You're here! I thought I was gonna die all alone!" She said and hurried over, hugging me tight.
"Lieutenant? How long have they kept you in this room?.." I asked and looked her over for any serious injuries.
"Weeks! Oh I was so afraid! The empress had my guards taken to the desert and left them there! She's obeying the griffin king! That's what they said!" Peace rambled and I put my hoof on her snout, silencing her.
"Who said that? The new guards? And why would one of the most powerful rulers in the known world bow to Guto?" I asked her with a strict tone, she looked to the door before speaking.
"Those griffins outside said they took the heir! That they have the empress's firstborn in a dungeon across the sea!" The ambassador whispered.
"And to keep her child safe the empress obeys guto.. Dammit!" I hissed and heard movement coming towards our door.
The lock was busted but I had still closed it, looking to the boarded up window as an alternative escape route. I took my knife again and with help from Peace I managed to get loose the first wooden plank. It took us a few minutes and close calls before we had the window free, the earth pony mare looking at me in slight fear.
"What are we supposed to do miss Thorn? I can't climb down" She said and looked down onto the ground was the darkness was settling over the sky.
I didn't get time to respond before the door burst open, a griffon soldier seeing us. He yelled for his companions before I threw a knife into his throat, sending him to the floor with his talons clutching his bleeding throat. I picked up Peace Treaty who was screaming in fear and jumped out the window as more soldiers stormed into the room. I unfolded my wings and managed to carry us both down to the ground below.
The same second we touched ground I ordered the mare to run. She didn't need much encouragement, stumbling forward and running down the street. I helped her run into some side alleys and knocked down any guard trying to stop us, I couldn't trust anyone in this damn city of demons.
Eventually I was forced to stop, Peace's body not managing to keep up with so little food in her. I ushered her into another side alley and sat down, panting heavily as I watched the stars. Everything had gone well a few hours earlier, we'd been welcomed as heroes by the people and Nathaniel had been given access to the temple. Now I couldn't go back to the palace, I knew that whatever waited for me there could not be pleasant.
I used what energy I had left and stole a cloak for me and Peace Treaty, the pieces of cloth saving our lives a few times as guards rushed by, both griffins and ponies. It hurt know I would be forced to leave my friends to fend for themselves, but Nathaniel had Valkyrie and Osiris hopefully had Blaze. They would figure out that they would need to get to the gate, until they did so however I waited with Peace, letting her rest.
Osiris's POV
"What is it now?" I asked with a groan as the damn hound barked and growled at a couple of stairs.
I had been left alone with the wolf after Rose left and the kid was lead away by the cold empress. I had spoken with miss Page for a while before she was called away by the guard that had lead us here. He would show Silver to her chambers so she wouldn't end up getting lost. I wished he'd given us the same courtesy as I had wandered these never ending halls for what felt like hours.
The dog had been pretty good company, as the beast was smart enough to keep away from Garthram's inhabitants. I didn't dislike them per say, but some of them could make things float without a horn or turn into smoke. Those kinds of abilities freaked me out, even more so when I thought about what the mutants of the desert could do. Hopefully would their attempt at forming their own nation soon be crushed, the empress seemingly having increased the amount of soldiers that walked around the city.
It had been as we looked for a room to sleep in that Blaze had started barking and growling at a couple of stairs leading down into what I assumed to be a basement. I wanted to yell at the wolf for bothering the sleeping servants at first but quickly I let it go, taking a deep breath and moving up next to him. I thought first that the wolf had simply seen a cat or something but it was soon made clear to me that it was something far worst. A familiar shriek could be heard from the darkness the stairs lead down into, making me shudder.
There was a guard standing in front of us with a stoic expression, giving me an annoyed look at the wolf's barking. His attention was drawn elsewhere however, seeing guards further down the hall dragging away what sounded like a very angry and intoxicated stallion. He walked after them as the stallion got violent, leaving the stairs open for any creature to descend.
It was at this moment the hound decided it was time to explore from where that sound came from, suddenly bolting down the stairs. I followed him as quickly as I could, feeling dread creep over my bones the further down the stairs we came. Eventually we appeared in what looked like a dungeon, the hallway in front of us lit up by a few torches. Yet it was the lack of cells that made one see that this was no dungeon, instead there was cages, everywhere.
I looked at the corrupted creatures surrounding me and the barking wolf in growing horror, seeing more corrupted RootEaters and even a midnight black deer with red eyes. They were the occupants of this dungeon, they were the real thing that needed guarding here. I saw a few cages with normal RootEaters in them as well, their long snout in a bowl of water. Yet that water-bowl was made out of a red crystal, a very familiar red crystal.
I didn't see a dungeon for monsters anymore, I saw a place where one could produce them. Why would the empress ever allow such a thing!? This was madness, a death wish! I had to destroy it all, I couldn't let my friends die to one of these beasts. I ran over to one of the torches and pulled it down from the wall. I then looked for anything flammable, something the wolf happily rolled my way. They had urns filled with oil down here, most likely a storage for whenever their equipment needed it. To bad we needed it more right now.
I quickly poured the content on the floor below the corrupted creatures cages. The corrupted RootEaters tongues tried to grab me several times, my response being by cutting them off. The blood that hit my fur as I did so felt almost alive for a second before dying, the corrupted blood dying without the host. I saw the normal creatures and gave them a quick death with my dagger, fearing that they already carried the disease.
It took me and Blaze many minutes before we felt enough oil had been dumped over the cellar. I could hear armored guards coming down the stairs and I looked for another way out and saw a door further down the horrible basement. I threw the torch onto the oily ground and ran, the hound not far behind me. I could hear the guards yell for water as the creatures screamed in pain, burning alive in their cages.
As I opened the door I saw it lead to the sewers. Without much choice I ran down the stinking place, trying to follow the flow of the water. Wherever the sewer lead that meant away from the monsters the empress had hid in her basement. Blaze looked back and whined, not wanting to leave his master behind in the Palace. I just pushed the wolf forwards and kept on the trail. The kid would be fine, he wouldn't let them touch him with that war-hammer. Right now we needed to get out of the city, and fast.
Silver Page's POV
I looked at the room around me with an awed smile. I had never been given such a luxurious room in my entire life, the mirror having a frame made out of gold, the walls being made out of white marble and the carpet made out of the purest silk. The bed was large enough to fit seven ponies and there was a bathroom with a bath large enough to fit four ponies to my left. I was so lucky.
"I hope this room will be to your satisfaction miss Page" Our guide said and I only nodded slowly.
"I.. I hear that the griffin king will have a room very similar to this one" He said and I turned to look at him in confusion.
Why would that information be relevant? I couldn't care less about what rooms there was in the griffin kingdom, I had been given a great one right here! I nodded and looked out the window, overlooking Garthram as lanterns were lit and lights hanging between the houses started to glow. It was so beautiful.
It was then something hit me over the head. I felt sudden pain flare up before I hit the floor, groaning in pain. I let my eyes look at our guide who held a sword in his hoof, he'd hit me with its pommel. I mumbled, trying to ask him why. The stallion looked ashamed before sheeting his sword, walking over to me.
"I will do anything for the empress and the heir. Even if that is hurting one of the dark blood" He said firmly.
"Wh-What?.." I mumbled and tried to stand, my legs feeling like jelly.
"The griffin king requested that we would give him a demon if we ever came across a full blooded one. You are that miss Page.. I do not want to know what he'll do to you, but if it saves the heir then so be it" The guard said and I felt fear blossom in my chest.
I couldn't go back to being anypony's pet! I wouldn't pleasure the sick perverted dreams of another mad king! I wouldn't! I couldn't! I felt my fear turn to rage and I let my eyes lock onto the stallion. He sighed and prepared to knock me out fully, only for a red ominous aurora to wrap around his neck. He let out a fear filled scream as he was picked up into the air.
I rose up and growled, my eyes a burning red as I looked at him. I could see in the mirror how my horns were lit ablaze, a red aurora surrounding them and within that aurora small black bolts flew around, giving it a corrupted look. I used magic for the first time in my life to bring him face to face with me, a deep growl starting in my throat.
"Never. Again." I said and threw him into the wall, knocking out the scared stallion.
I came to my senses and looked at what I had done. I gasped and looked at myself in the mirror, fear gripping my heart. But I couldn't let it stop me now like when the human fought the beast, I had to keep moving. If the empress was ready to give me to the griffin king of all creatures then I was not safe here anymore.
Knowing I didn't have much time I ran out from the room. The large hallway lead down to a window and back towards the throne room. I saw guards walking down towards me. They stopped at first when they spotted me but soon ran down the hallway, weapons drawn. That meant the window was my only way out. I ran towards it and used my newfound power to pick up a wase, throwing it towards the window. It broke and I threw myself out of the newfound hole, plummeting towards the ground.
Just before I hit the houses below I unfolded my wings and gained altitude, hurrying towards the gates at the end of the city. I needed to find the Guardians, they would know what to do, who to trust. I felt an arrow fly by my head and hurried up to get away from the Palace, Garthram was no longer a free city, it was the griffins now.
Nathaniel's POV
He walked back into the throne room with the empress, looking around to see if he could find any of his friends. When he realized none of them where around his suspicion grew. Nathaniel hadn't excpected all of them to be there, but maybe at least Blaze would wait for him. The man's train of thought was interrupted as the empress walked back to her throne and sat down. She looked to the shadows in the room and sighed, looking at the human.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this Guardian, but the Griffin king will not have you return to Equestria. Lay down your weapon and you will be granted a quick death" Darkest Dreams said as griffin soldiers appeared from the shadows.
"I must get this water to Luna, if you stand in my way then I will KILL you" The teen growled and gripped his war-hammer, the weapon humming from his touch.
"You don't have they eyes of a killer, but the eyes of a boy" The ruler said as the soldiers started to rush him, the man closing his eyes.
When the soldiers all fell upon him the human slammed Valkyrie into the ground, sending out a shock-wave in all directions. The griffins were sent flying and the mare sitting upon the throne looked at the man in surprise. Nathaniel only glared at her before running, hitting one of her own guards in the chest as she tried to block the gate.
The green eyed man rushed down the stairs of the Palace as the bells around the city started to ring. There was smoke in the sky, the fire spreading through the Palace's lower levels. The man only knew he had to keep moving, arrows flying past him. One cut his neck, not enough to be real wound but enough to draw some blood.
As Nate ran he saw the silhouette of Silver Page flying across the sky, the mare heading towards the gate far away. The man simply hurried up, seeing the building of the ambassador surrounded by griffins. When they saw him they yelled and ran after him, the teen hitting any griffin getting close with Valkyrie.
He ran for several minutes, never stopping. Eventually he ran into Rose and another mare, the sanguine only told him to keep running an advice he happily took. Once they got to the gate were they joined by Blaze and Osiris, the scout and wolf smelled and looked like crap. They seemed to have come from a door leading into the sewers. Yet the reunion didn't last long, several griffin guards standing by the gate with grins on their faces.
"Fuck.." Nathan said and looked around before finally looking to the war-hammer in his hands.
"You look like you have an idea kid" Osiris said and pulled out a dagger covered in blood.
"Whatever you're gonna do you have to do it now, we're out of time!" Rose said and he nodded.
Nathaniel let every ounce of mana he had be absorbed by the weapon, it was a wild guess if it would work or not but he didn't have time to test theory. With a mighty yell of threw Valkyrie towards the gate, the weapon picking up more and more speed as it spun around in the air. Green lightning flew from the war-hammer and the griffins screamed in fear as they jumped to the side. The weapon collided with the gate and the closed stone gates swung open with enough force for them to hit the wall on the other side.
The human didn't care that he coughed up the black tar like liquid or that he felt like crap, they could get out of the city! Nate ran with all strength he could muster past the downed griffins and out onto the planes. The group of Guardians was joined by Silver as she landed and ran with them towards the jungle. As they finally broke through the tree line was all they could hear from the city the bells, slowly ringing out over the land.
King Guto's POV
The idol whispered to me as I slept, waking me to grab a letter that had arrived. It said that I had to read it and so I did, I skimmed through it, growling as I finished reading. They had failed, not only was the Lord Protector alive but a chance to get rid of three guardians and bring me a live succubus had failed miserably. I cursed the names of the ones that had failed me and I looked through other reports.
Even with the Lord Protector alive however we still held the Celestial sea, and he could not go past our blockade with a ship. Flying and walking would take to long for him to get back in time, which meant the princess was without her best soldier. Not only that, with the Lunar Guardians hurrying back to Equestria with a cure for their dear princess would it mean they wouldn't be in the country either by the time my plan was finally put in motion.
The idol hummed and I nodded slowly with a grin. The war was just around the corner, just one more piece had to be moved before the ponies would finally be eradicated from this planet. I thought back to the empress failure and shock my head, if she kept disappointing me then her son would die, slowly. I almost hoped she would fail again, a part of me that sang with the idol wanted to see that little bastard scream.
But I couldn't loose my cool now. The heir was to live until he was no further use for me, then he would die, along with his mother and the rest of her people. I could almost see it in front of me, Garthram burning in green flames as my trusted soldiers cut them all down one by one. That would be my victory day. I looked to a portrait of my father and grinned. No, our victory day.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading the sixteenth chapter of CoN! We're so close to the war now, but before that we have a princess to save!
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Chapter Seventeen: The angel's nightmare Part One
The group of six looked over the small fishing village from the the tree line. The golden stallion was still there, yet none of the crew were anywhere to be seen. Nathaniel didn't like the creepy feeling he was getting from the place, like the entire settlement was just waiting to eat them all whole. He could still see the inhabitants however, the griffins going around doing their daily business. The man even saw the village elder, the battle scared creature sitting on his porch.
"Something's off.." Osiris said and Rose nodded, eyeing the village with a glare.
"There are more guards, heavily armed. They look to be from the Griffin navy, not their land troops" The sanguine stated and looked around for more clues.
"The crew is not on the ship, yet I think I see a few griffins on it. So where are they?" Nathan finally asked, the three guardians pulling back.
"The increased military presence on Equestrian soil is not agreeable with the terms set for the fishing village.." Rose muttered as Silver and Peace looked at the three.
"Nor is it agreeable for them to forcefully seize a ship belonging to a member of our kingdom" Osiris muttered, letting his saddle bags fall to the ground.
"If they have taken the ship we cannot get back to Luna, she'll die!" Nathan said with a hushed voice and the bat pony nodded slowly.
"We need to get into the village, find the crew and get back to Luna. We're still making good progress but the days are running out kid" The earth pony told the human who nodded.
They all kept observing the village until Blaze hugged the ground and moved towards the settlement. The man tried to get the wolf to come back but it did nothing, the hound moving through the tall grass towards the nearest house. Nathaniel watched his companion eye the building, Osiris calling after Blaze with swears to get back. Finally the hound returned, walking around them in a circle before looking at the closest house, whining and motioning towards it.
The other five looked towards the building and slowly started to move towards it. They kept to the tall grass as they got out of the jungle and once again walked on Equestrian ground. It was nerve wracking for the much taller man to crouch down in the grass, seeing the griffin soldiers not much further away. The village was still very active, even if the children that had been playing in the street was now nowhere to be seen.
Once they finally reached the porch of the building was the diplomat the first to get inside. Peace Treaty just hurried up and opened the door, not even bothering looking at the windows. Once she had seen the griffin soldiers so near her had the mare just wanted to get away. Rose and Silver hurried after her into the building as the man approached it slowly. Blaze and Osiris did they same, never taking their eyes of the village.
Nathaniel was the last to enter the small house, allowing Osiris and Blaze to get inside and then the human decided to enter the building. The house was quiet and dirty, like the entire place had been abandoned for years. The group saw no evidence of anyone in the village using the house for anything, meaning they were most likely safe there for the time being.
Blaze had started to claw on a floor door in the main hall as they group of six entered. The hound gave Nathaniel a pleading look and the human walked over with Osiris. The man and stallion forced the heavy wooden thing open and looked down into the darkness. The stench of rot hit them and they both staggered away from the floor door. To the human's horror was the body of the ship captain down in the hole. The stallion had been beaten beyond recognition and then been stabbed so many times he looked like a deflated blow up toy.
Osiris slammed the hatch shut just as Rose saw the body and growled, looking towards the window. The teen grabbed the bat pony by her hind leg as she tried to rush towards the door. She yelled that she was gonna murder all of the 'damn chickens' when the former diplomat pulled Osiris away from the hall into the bedroom and hissed for them to hide. The succubus followed the scout and diplomat into the bedroom, ushering Nate to hide as well. Nathaniel just covered Rose's snout with his hand and pulled her into the kitchen as the door facing the village burst open. Blaze manged to hide behind the door as three griffin guards rushed in, eyeing the run down building.
The house they were all in was quite small. There was a hallway leading straight through the building with a bedroom to the right of the front door and a kitchen to the left of it. The hallway lead to the back door the group had used to to enter that was attached to a porch, a porch facing the jungle. The colour of the house was mostly grey, the walls old and seeming damaged by water. The wooden floor creaked as the guards made their way slowly through the building, looking towards the floor door.
"Ya don't think he's still alive, right?" One the griffin guards with grey feathers said and opened the hatch in the ground, only to reel back at the smell.
"Nah he's dead alright!" The second white feathered guard said with a laugh and spat on the stallion's body.
"Fucker refused to give up information on his beloved princess, here's his reward for that loyalty" The third black griffon said and slammed he floor door shut again.
"That means one of those brats must have been in here! I told you to kill those pony kids instead of throwing them into the barracks!" The griffon with white feathers said, his eyes looked to be filled with so much madness.
"What's done is done. If we find one of those brats we kill them, if they are still in the barracks we sell them to the Yaks or the Minotaurs" The black griffin said to his two companions.
Nathan watched their entire conversation from the opening into the kitchen, Rose crouched under him to get a good look on the situation as well. The mare saw Osiris opening the bedroom door slowly and Blaze shutting the front door. The three griffin guards didn't notice it thankfully, the old doors not creaking. Osiris made a stabbing motion and pointed to the sword on the human's hip. Nate nodded and slowly pulled the sword out of the sheet, seeing Rose reading her knives.
They didn't get much more time to plan as Blaze shut the door entirely and the grey feathered griffin swirled around to see why the sunlight suddenly vanished from the hallway. The guard was met by the sight of a wolf jumping at him and with a scream cut short was he slammed into the ground as Blaze bit into his jugular, killing him. The other two guards drew their weapon but the black feathered griffin was dead before he even had fully drawn his sword, a knife hitting him square i the forehead and sending him onto the floor. The white feathered griffon rushed towards them with an angry yell and raised his sword above his head.
The human blocked his attempt at killing them with a simple deflection of the griffon's blade into the old wall. The guard's weapon sank all the way inside into the rotted wood and before he could scream for help was his head severed from his neck. Osiris had moved so fast the human had barely seen him ran past, the golden coated stallion's dagger having brutally executed the enemy soldier.
"Jesus fucking christ.." The teen said at the sight of all the blood, staggering backwards from the bodies.
"Be glad you didn't kill them kid, you need some innocence left in you" The stallion said and cleaned his dagger on one of the griffins wings.
"They deserved far worst.. But we're out of time, we need to find what's left of the crew and get home" Rose said and pulled one of her throwing knives out of black griffon's neck.
"I-Is it over?" Peace's voice said timidly as she looked out of the bedroom, she saw the bodies and cringed.
"It's over" Osiris reassured her and then looked at Silver Page walking out of the room with the diplomat.
"Who's gonna steer the ship if the captain's dead?" The succubus said with slight panic and Rose sighed.
"Someone else in the crew will be forced to. One of them has to know how to do it" The sanguine said and looked towards the front door.
"We need to move quickly and efficiently. I'll get into the barracks and free the children, they should know where the crew are being held" The golden stallion said and Nathan started thinking.
"Why round up the ponies? Aren't they apart of the village?" Peace Treaty asked and Osiris growled.
"Because a lot of griffins hate ponies. I've heard many call us filth when walking down the streets of different griffin settlements, and It seems their king share that sentiment" The scout muttered and looked out the window.
"I thought you were allied with the griffins? Why would they turn on you for simple hatred? I mean, they'll lose an ally and most likely anger your other allies, like the dragons" Nate said and the sanguine sighed.
"They wouldn't care, even with the dragons it would still be a hard fight against the griffins with the Changeling kingdom gone and Dark Kingdom on their side. The smaller nations won't care to intervene so long as Guto doesn't come for them" Rose said and gave Osiris a nod, the stallion hurrying out the back.
"Nathan, I'm gonna need you to use your special weapon. Osiris is gonna need a distraction, so we're gonna go out there and beat down the griffins. The distraction will hopefully be enough for Osiris to get the crew weapons and lead them to retake the ship" The mare stated and looked behind her, the succubus and diplomat looking worried.
"Run when you see a chance, don't stop and help the crew in any way you can" The bat pony told the two who nodded and hide in the old bedroom.
"I hope this works.." The man said and opened the door, Blaze rushing outside with a growl and pouncing on the nearest guard.
"So do I.." Rose muttered and with a battle-cry ran out of the house, sending a knife flying into the back on a griffin soldier.
The human took a deep breath and let his right hand grasp Valkyrie before rushing outside. His eyes looked upon the at least thirty soldiers walking around the village and with a yell of determination he brought down the war-hammer next to a group of griffins coming running. They were sent flying from the magical force expelled from the weapon and Nathaniel grinned. He really liked this thing.
Osiris POV
I crept back into the jungle and moved with the trees until I saw the barracks. As suspected was it filled with guards, the griffins laughing and drinking. It wasn't until the sounds of battle started to fill the village that the soldiers finally moved, running towards the old house at the end of the settlement. I used this opportunity to move back into the village and I hurried past fishing huts until I got into the barracks.
The children were locked in a jail cell, their eyes going big as they finally saw me. To my confusion were it not only ponies there, but Hippogriffs as well. The colts and fillies all looked ready to scream in joy as they saw I bore Equestrian colours but I shushed them and opened the cell door with my a dagger. The lock had been rusty, not even remotely good enough to keep criminals inside.
"Where are your parents? Have you seen the ponies from the ship somewhere?" I asked them all.
"They took them to the warehouse mister! They said they would interrogate them!" One of the foals told me and I cursed.
"You kids will go hide in the jungle, but stick close to the village. Once it's safe you run for the ship" I told them all and they nodded.
The children sneaked off into the woods and I looked at the warehouse used to store fish. I let my dagger slip out of its sheet and I got closer to the building. Most guards were heading for Rose and the kid, which gave me an easy time hiding from the rest of the villagers. Once I finally reached the large grey building off wood I saw two guards at the doors. The griffins stood stiffly and looked around with cation as I made my way to the long wall facing the settlement. If I looked around the corner I could see the soldiers.
With quick hooves I jumped out from hiding and dashed my way towards the two. They say me and tried to cut me down with their swords, but I quickly dove under their slashes, slamming my side into them. I let my dagger be slipped to my left hoof as I shoved it into the shoulder of one of the soldiers, his friend trying to come to his aid. I simply ducked under the swing and let the enemy's sword burrow itself into the other griffon's head. The soldier was to horrified to do anything before I slit his throat, sending him to the ground clawing at the dirt.
Killing never truly felt good, to enjoy it would be to become a monster. But I found solace in that lives would be saved thanks to the lives lost. I had taken an oath to protect the princess and Equestria, an oath I would not break. My blood covered hooves kicked the door open and I noticed just how many ponies had been rounded up, at least forty of them. I hurried around and freed as many as I could, the ones freed helping my efforts with rusty fishing knives laying around.
When I had freed the ponies and hippogriffs they all looked at me in anticipation, a few of them having recognized the medallion I wore around my neck. The blue crescent moon resting on my armor covered chest shone in the light given to us all by a couple of lanterns, the medallion bringing hope to our people, like it was meant to do.
"I am Osiris of the Lunar Guardians! I and my fellow protectors of the Moon have come to reclaim our ship and save the princess of the night! I ask you to take up weapons and join us on the Golden Stallion !" I yelled and a few chimed in with excited sounds, happy to get back at the ones that stabbed them in the back.
"I am not forcing you to fight against these invaders, but they threaten both your village and our nation! So I ask you not to fight for the crown, but for the soil your children will be left with!" I told them all and I saw many different tools being shared around.
I could see pitchforks and knives among the hippogriffs, ponies and griffins they had captured. The griffins here seemed to be the mates of some of the ponies in the village, quickly explaining why their brothers had turned on them. They all seemed eager for payback, many asking me for their children. After a few words telling them all that their kids were safe could we finally move.
I lead them through the open door and down the roads of the village, the few guards still around ran as they saw the mass of ponies running towards them. Some from the Golden Stallion's crew screamed the name of their captain as they charged into one of the griffin soldiers. I just kept running towards the ship, seeing the green glow of Nathaniel's magic do the same a few houses away. We could try and capture the village, but with the griffin navy so close by would it most likely mean death for anypony having rebelled against the soldiers here.
A griffon tried to grab me as I ran, the damn overgrown chicken trying to slit my throat with a knife. The pressure of his talon around my head was suddenly relived however, a grey blur having jumped the soldier and with a growl torn out his throat. Blaze looked at me with blood around his mouth and barked, wagging his tail.
"Good dog" I said with a grin and kept running.
After I cut down another soldier in my mad sprint I could clearly hear some of the ponies cry out in joy as the foals came running down the road from the jungle. By now the griffin soldiers were being lead by the war veteran we had meet at our first stop in the village, the old griffon's orders to 'Kill them all!' could be heard all over the settlement. They weren't even subtle about their wish to kill the ponies anymore.
Our group of villagers and crew members either killed or sent any soldiers in our way running. They had all focused so much on the human and bat-pony they didn't even think about the prisoners in the warehouse. The largest group of soldiers were clearly following Nathaniel and Rose, but after more scared griffins ran their way I soon realized that wouldn't last.
"Run for the ship!" I yelled and ducked under Valkyrie as it flew over my head.
The war-hammer had been thrown and it hit a griffon soldier in the side, sending him flying into one of the small fishing huts. The griffon wasn't killed by the hit, but the magical weapon had made sure he wouldn't be getting up. I saw how the kid ran down the last few meters to the docks and summoned Valkyrie back to his hand. Rose wasn't far behind the man, her body covered in blood. I saw how our Royal Envoy and Diplomat were running after her, soldiers finally reaching the docks.
The griffins both on the ship and on land stopped as they saw the sight of over forty armed ponies, hippogriffs and griffins glare at them. The soldiers had taken heavy losses and as the kid slammed his war-hammer into the ground they all ran or flew away. I knew they were most likely running for the nearest ship to get backup, meaning we all had to hurry.
I ushered everyone on the docks towards the ship with the help of Rose, the human finally being allowed to rest and falling to his knees. He was supposed to rest these last couple of days, instead he was once again out of mana and bleeding. It took us a lot of time to get all our new allies onto the ship, but when we were finally on the Golden Stallion I relaxed the crew skillfully got the merchant ship out to open waters.
A part of me was sadden over the captains body being left behind, something the crew seemed to share. But we had no time to bury the dead or plan an attack against those that had betrayed us, we just needed to get back as soon as possible, time was running out for Luna. If we didn't hurry she would die, and Celestia would never know of the Dark Kingdom's deceit.
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I looked over the ocean with a glare, Spectral's pale purple eyes watching me from the helm. I knew he wasn't happy about leaving Broken Orchid behind in the first place, but now with the prospect of not returning at all to Equestrian had he not even spoken to me. It was annoying me to no end with Minted Surprise running around with panic attacks every few minutes and Violet Shield being forced to babysit him. The situation wasn't pleasant for any of us, but we needed to get to the dragons and warn them. If we didn't have the support of any other nation during the invasion would we all fall, death assured by our few numbers.
"Head for the Dragon Lord's home, we need him to back us during the coming war" I said to Spectral, the unicorn nodding and steering the ship towards the black mountains in the distance.
For the coming hours would we all on the ship mostly have a look out for any enemy ships, but after some time we realized the griffins had no ships guarding the area. It was both a comfort and a downer to know that we were safe for the time being but that our home was not. I walked down below deck to look over some of the stuff down there, hoping to keep my mind of the invasion heading to our country when I once again saw some of Starswirl's blueprints.
The old things hadn't really caught my attention to much the first time I saw them. Most of them were just ideas the old unicorn had no idea on how to bring to life, but some looked interesting. One of those interesting ideas a very strange looking device with an oval shape filled with some sort of powder. It showed how by pushing a button on the thing and then throwing it would it explode.
The concept seemed better than most other ideas of his and I looked through his other military inventions before I heard Spectral's voice calling for me. I climbed the stairs to see the land being much closer, the speed increase the scout's ship had was incredible. Yet I soon saw that Spectral had called me up on deck for more than just clarifying that land was close. There was dragons waiting on us by the rocky shore, most of them looking young.
It took us a few minutes until we were finally close enough to disembark our ship, Violet following me as I jumped down to meet with the dragons. A teenage drake met us as we walked closer, looking hopeful at first only to look at the ground as he saw how few we were. Now when we stood on the shore could I see just how many young dragons waited on us, at least a couple of hundred. I could only see around ten fully grown dragons, and even then were they still young for the ancient race.
"Where is your leader? We need to speak with the Dragon Lord immediately" I told the teenage dragon with green scales.
"He's not here, not anymore" The dragon told me and I growled.
"Then tell me where he has gone! We need your nations help, the griffin army is marching for war!" I said loudly and the dragons looked away.
"We know, they have already started by sending troops to our borders. Lord Shadow Claw took our strongest to face them, but we have heard no word of victory yet" The young dragon told me and Violet.
"What's your name?" The mare to my right asked him, authority strong in her tone and stance.
"Charcoal Ma'am" He responded and she nodded.
The name was faintly familiar, something I had read in one of the reports maybe? My thoughts was cut short as the other drakes looked up at the sky. Black smoke filled it, the normal blue sky now holding an ominous red tint to it. I thought about asking if one of their volcanoes had erupted when Charcoal growled.
"Those are griffin fires!" He called out to the other dragons and soon they all unfolded their wings, heading up towards the smoke cloud to get a better look of the battle.
I unfolded my wings and flew after them, seeing great green fires in the distance. The border was far away, but I could still see the clash between griffin forces and dragons. But what didn't make sense was the Dragon Lord's flight patterns. He could be seen from so far away letting torrents of fire run over the clouds, lighting up silhouettes within them. I couldn't really process what I was seeing, yet it didn't matter.
The Lord of Dragons dove from high up in the sky and let even more flames hit whatever they were fighting. Yet he was the only dragon still standing, all the others seemed to have fled or died. We could all see the bodies on the ground, killed somehow by the griffins. It was then we heard the sound, a faint metallic horn booming over the rocky terrain before a flash of green light filled our vision. All I heard was the roar of the Dragon Lord before a great 'thud' echoed over the land.
From miles away I saw the body of the Dragon Lord, the ruler of the dragons dead on the ground. I felt my stomach sink and all my sense of showing authority was gone. I just looked at the display of power in horror. Whatever had done that must have been the thing that tried to sink our ship, yet this time it succeed with its goal. Even from here could I see the hole in his chest and the smoke rising from it, a quick death.
"He's dead.. By the gods he's dead! What are we gonna do!?" A dragon youngster said and panic spread among the remaining dragons.
I saw how some tried to flee while others screamed about the eggs. The largest dragons seemed to be flying for their hordes while Charcoal kept starring at the dead dragon to the north, the metallic horn echoed out over the victory and the griffin soldiers cries could be heard from the capital of the dragons.
"We need to get to the Zebras! If we do not unite as one then this war will be lost!" I yelled to them all, some listening while others kept running.
I got an idea as I remembered the report of what the human had found in their holy cave, a weapon marked by the same rune he bore on his hand. The Lord Of Dragons had told him they dragons would come if he asked, and this was a damn good time to ask.
"The Bearer of your mark, Nathaniel Sol, will fight against this threat! He will ask for your aid with the griffins to avenge your Lord! Will you help him or hide like cowardly lizards!?" I yelled out to them all, many stopping dead in their tracks and looking around at each other.
Charcoal seemed the most interested when I mentioned the human's name, the dragon tearing his eyes away from the battlefield. All the dragons remaining looked at me, all of them young. The largest renaming dragon was smaller than our ship, but if their scales could stand against griffin steel then I would be satisfied.
"I know Nate! If he asks for us to fight then it is our duty to do so! Faust blessed him to guard the realm and we will not stand by doing nothing! We will kill those griffins and rip their king to shreds!" The green scaled dragon shouted and soon more and more dragons joined in.
We had our dragons. Now we needed to pay a visit to our Zebra friends in the south.
Nathaniel's POV
The ship moved slowly across the water, the human looking out over the ocean with a sad demeanor. The Griffins had stabbed Equestria in the back, and the pony nation were most likely not the only one to be put through this fate. He sighed and closed his hand around Valkyrie's handle, the war-hammer humming quietly at his touch. The man hadn't killed a single griffon on their way out of the village. He'd still injured them, but each time he tried to bring himself to do it had Nathan just kept running.
Rose and Osiris had told him it was a good thing, that him not killing them all was something positive. But Nate felt like he hadn't done enough by simply throwing them to the side. The act of killing an animal or monster was easy, you just had to put them down as quickly as possible. Killing a sentient being? It became a roadblock for him, something he couldn't do. He'd just been eighteen for a couple of weeks dammit, he couldn't be expected to kill someone just like that.
But at the same time he should have. The human had seen one of the griffins he'd knocked down stab a hippogriff in his side with a sword. The hippogriff had survived thanks to a healing spell he'd used but still, if Nathan had killed that griffon then the civilian hadn't been hurt. He chuckled a bit as he caught himself referring to the common people as civilians. Had the teen really been with the military for so long he thought of them that way?
His thoughts turned to what the griffins would do to the ponies of Equestria when they invaded. Would they enslave them all? Eradicate them? Just have them as new citizens? The way they had rounded up the ponies, their griffin mates and the hippogriffs pointed more towards the first or second option.
It was he thought about these things the man realized he hadn't seen a lot of Equestria, the land Nathan was meant to guard. It was strange how even if he had spent months in the Everfree had he seen more of the world during the weeks he travelled with Luna and his friends. Nathaniel couldn't even remember them stopping at some town or village in Equestria that wasn't connected to the Sisters Castle.
Why was he fighting so hard for these ponies when he barely knew anything about them? Deep down Nathan knew why, because they didn't deserve to be slaughtered or enslaved. It didn't matter if he liked Luna or not, she didn't deserve to die to a disease literally sucking the life out of her. It didn't matter if he had the mark on his hand or not, Valkyrie needed to be used by someone that could protect others. If he needed to then Nathaniel would fight back the world simply because he didn't want some innocent people to suffer because of some decision made by a pigeon wearing a crown.
"Everypony hide! Watchtower!" Someone yelled and the griffins on deck hurried to make it look like they commandeered the ship.
The human climbed below deck to be met by Blaze growling at the hippogriffs, Osiris trying to keep the wolf from eating them to dinner. It was slightly amusing but the man quickly pulled the wolf away and waited. It felt like it took forever until a voice called out to the ship, demanding to get on board and inspect their wares. The green eyed man heard how the platform was lowered into the ground around the watchtower and how a few figures moved onto the ship.
"What are you carrying?" A muffled voice said from above him.
"Meat" One of the friendly griffins responded with a respectful tone.
"We will need to inspect this meat" The soldier having boarded their ship told the griffon above them and Nathaniel panicked.
The young man quickly looked through the book given to him by the old wizard before he left for the Dark Kingdom. Nathan flipped through the small spell book in a panic, looking for any kind of spell that could help them. He finally came to a chapter about illusion magic, reading through the spells until he finally saw a good one.
Occultatum Jende
The mirror thieves uses to hide their shame. Occultatum Jende is the spell used to hide one single individual for a long stretch of time or many over a very short stretch of time. Focus your mana around whatever you want to hide, and hold that focus. See the mana as a sort of mirror, mimicking how the world would look if what you want to hide isn't there. Let yourself be convinced that there is nothing there, that no smell, sound or sight exists off your desired object. Let the lie become truth with magic, and live to fight another day.
The spell's concept seemed easy enough to understand. He had to focus his mana like a blanket over them all and then "believe the lie". Meaning he had to truly make them invisible to the soldiers wanting to check below deck. Yet the spell hadn't mentioned how he would make something appear in the ponies stead, like so many boxes of meat the soldier wouldn't be able to venture down into the ship.
Nathaniel flipped through the chapter until he found another spell he could use, one that would allow him to do just that. Yet it entailed that he would be able to keep two spells going at the same time with the limited mana he had left after fighting through hordes of soldiers. The man just took a deep breath and read through the description of the spell.
Occultatum Korvaus
The trickster's favorite weapon. The Occultatum Korvaus allows the caster to make other people see things that aren't there or replace seemingly harmless objects with snarling snakes. Let your mana take the form of what you want to create, think of it like forming clay. Let it become reality through the eyes of others while you reap the benefits of your scheme.
With the two spells the man felt ready to save them from a full out assult on their ship. Nathaniel sat down in a meditative state on the floor, crossing his legs like he normally did. He let his mana simultaneously cover them all like a blanket while Nate let it form into the shape of boxes everywhere. The teen could feel the black tar like liquid run from his nose, indicating he was dangerously low on mana. It didn't matter however, the young man wouldn't let all these people die.
"Occultatum Jende " Nathan said and allowed them all to seemingly just vanish into thin air, while he was actually more or less placing a bubble around them that stopped anyone from seeing, hearing or smelling them.
The ponies around him freaked out at first as his mana covered them like spider web, but a few well placed hisses from Rose got them all quiet and they stopped moving around. With half the problem solved started the man to gather strength for the next spell as light started to spill in slowly from the hatch leading up the main deck. Nathaniel felt panic grip his heart and he preformed the last spell.
"Occultatum Korvaus " The black haired teen hissed out and closed his eyes as boxes took their place for the eyes of the beholder.
Just when the spell came into effect the hatch was opened by a distressed looking griffon and griffon soldier eyeing him suspiciously. They would just see boxes upon boxes of meat, some having an open lid to show the juicy flesh of deer. The griffon from the fishing village looked confused while the soldier nodded.
"All seem to be in order, continue on your way" The griffon said and the "crew" on deck all gave their thanks as the ship soon started moving again.
The same second the hatch had been closed fell the illusion apart like broken glass, hitting the ponies and hippogriffs with translucent shards that didn't hurt them. Nathaniel just puked his gut out onto the floor, the black tar like liquid pouring from both his eyes and nose. It hurt unlike anything else, the strain on his mana after the Sombra incident not being goofor him. For a few seconds he just yelled incoherent things until Rose managed to calm him down, singing a lullaby in a language Nathan didn't know. But it soothed the pain and made him ignore the liquefied dead mana pouring out of his body. He found the melody beautiful, it made him so calm he didn't even realize he fell asleep.
Luna's POV
I heard the voice again, her sinister laughter making me shiver. My body wasn't really responding to my attempts to move it anymore. I felt so frail, like a gust of wind would break my bones. I tried to block it out, tried to force her to go away. But she was a part of my mind, not allowing me freedom.
"I have a deal for you princess" The Nightmare said, her darker voice echoing over my mind.
"You have nothing you can give me monster!" I barked at the voice before feeling my head throb with my pain, making me whimper.
"Oh but I do~ I have a cure for you~" She said, her voice sweet as honey.
My heart jumped at the prospect of a cure for what was destroying me. It made me both overjoyed and afraid, because a cure from a nightmare might just be another disease. But could I deny it if I could get better with it? I didn't want to leave Nathaniel in a world he didn't belong, I didn't want to leave Celestia as the only one left in our family, I didn't want to leave our people now when they needed me and most of all I didn't want to die.
"What can you give me?.." I whimpered out and I could almost see her grin, even if she didn't have a face.
"Your rightful place" The Nightmare responded, a cryptic message but one I would take nonetheless.
"What is your deal then monster.." I said to my mind, sounding defeated.
"Good~ You can still be taught~" She cackled and I flinched.
"I will heal your body, for a price that is my own. Take it or leave it, but I think you know what happens if you leave it~ The healers were too optimistic about how long you can last" The voice said as I felt more pain go through my head.
"Nathaniel will return with the cure, I do not need you" I growled into the darkness and those twisted eyes mirrored my own.
"I do not doubt the human's resolve, you've made it this far thanks to him, but you're running out of time. I can feel the darkness burrowing itself into your mind, trying to finally destroy you~ It is beautiful to watch~" The Nightmare's voice said and those eyes glared at me.
"May you banished to Tartarus" I said with a whimper rather than a confident growl.
"My my, what would your brother think of such language? His sweet little sister cursing at those who want to help her" She chuckled and I screamed in anger, or at least I tried to, my lips refusing to open.
"My brother is dead! Leave him out of this!" I yelled at the eyes that giggled. ¨
"But he's not really dead, is he. You just tell yourself that to keep away the guilt from what you did to him!" Her voice said loudly and I cursed at her in every language I knew until I had to calm myself.
The throbbing in my head was getting worse, the pain flaring up like nothing before. I whimpered and she chuckled again, a caressing wing "touching" my dream like self. She seemed to be very pleased with herself, having me where she wanted me. I just tried to get away from her intrusive reading off my mind,
"You either accept my deak or die princess, I hope you chose wisely.." She growled and the presence was suddenly gone.
I almost immediately felt the corruption smoother me, the dark, cold and inky feeling making me cough. It felt like I was drowning, and that all my memories and thoughts were being taken away. I finally cried out for help, my mind starting to crack as the magical disease tried to kill me once and for all. I begged for the Nightmare's help as the black tendrils of the illness traveled up my head. I thought she hadn't heard me before suddenly I felt free, like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders.
"You made a good choice, princess~" She said as I soon found myself in a dreamless sleep, the corruption purged from my veins but something else inhabiting my head.
Nathaniel's POV
The young man didn't like the feeling of having used to much magic. It had been like his very being had been stabbed, the pain had been that powerful after he went beyond his limit. The Healer had told him to not use his magic for a while but Nate didn't have a choice, the teen needed to fight back those who wanted him and his friends dead.
Nathaniel groaned and opened his eyes, Rose looking at him in worry. The mare placed a glass to his lips, Nathan drinking it happily. The cool liquid seemed to clear his head a bit and got rid of the metallic taste in his mouth. The water seemed to hold some sort of sweet taste to it, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Are you all right kid?" Osiris voice said from his right and the man turned his head to face the stallion.
"I'm fine.." Nathaniel lied and tried to sit up, his body feeling to stiff to move.
"No you're not dammit! Lay down and rest, your mana and body can't take much more!" The sanguine growled and forced him down on the wooden floor.
"But I need to get the antidote to Luna" The human coughed and the bat-pony sighed.
"We're almost there, so you should rest. Your part is done Nathaniel, you're done" Rose assured him.
Nathan sighed and put his head on a pillow they had brought for him, allowing his body to relax. The mare seemed to be happy at his acceptance of her request, walking up the stairs to the main deck. Nate smiled as well as he felt Blaze's snout burrow itself in his arm, the wolf laying down next to him.
"Tell us if you need anything to eat, we'll be chatting with the harbor master as we arrive" The scout told him before leaving Nathaniel as well.
Silence fell upon the lower deck of the ship and the human enjoyed the ambiance of it, the smell of salt water adding to his relaxed state. They were so close to succeeding with their goal, so close to helping Luna he could almost taste it. The man smiled at the thought of helping the princess when suddenly Blaze looked up from the floor. The hound's ears flicked and he gave a light growl before laying his head back down. Something was wrong, but was it important? It might just have been a seal or something.
The human allowed himself to ignore it, he couldn't do anything about even it if he wanted to. Nathaniel only had the option to rest and gather his strength after many weeks of running, and he did so. Sleep took Nate once again fairly quickly, the wolf next to him never allowing its eyes to leave the direction of the Sisters Castle. Blaze growled once again but calmed down as Nathan brushed his hand across the hound's furry head, the two friends resting after a very long time. Nathaniel couldn't be happier.
They had only been away for a few days but the snow in the Everfree had melted away almost completely. The dirt road they walked on had been turned to mud that caked around their feet and hooves as they walked. The human had the wolf cloak wrapped around his shoulders, the spring wind still making him shudder. The trees swayed with the wind and some flowers could be seen growing near the road.
Nate allowed the sun warm him as they walked, being told it was getting late. Yet the sun was not going down nor was the moon rising to take its place in the sky. He found it to be weird but enjoyed what warmth he could get, the bat-pony next to him eyeing the sky suspiciously.
"Something feels off.." She murmured to Osiris who nodded, the stallion walking behind them.
It had been hard to pick up on what Rose had said with the wind, yet he'd still heard it. Nathan just thanked his lucky stars the ponies they saved had decided to stay with the crew and the port town, the Harbor Master having offered them all shelter after being given an oral report of what had happened. The mare's eyes had widened as she heard of the griffins wrong doings and she'd given the remaining crew and refugees warm food.
It had been a bit frightening hearing about what the griffins were trying to do, seemingly planning a war, but the man had to focus on Luna first. The princess of the night was their priority, they could switch focus to the damn chickens after Luna had been healed. His thoughts were interrupted as they saw the castle, Osiris grinning at the sight.
"We made it back" The scout said and the guards at the gates held it open for them.
Blaze ran into the castle and the guardians followed right after the wolf. Silver Page and Peace Treaty had stayed behind in the port town to rest and help the refugees. The succubus had asked them to tell Crystal Sword about what had happened and that she would come back in the morning. The group had agreed and then hurried off to the castle, which they now had entered.
Nathaniel was ready to rush towards Luna's room when suddenly a guard told them a fact that made him froze. It sounded so strange, so unbelievably stupid the pony couldn't had uttered those words. But he had heard it and the others had also heard it. Osiris looked confused about it while Rose looked even more suspicious, adding to the tension in the air.
"Princess Luna has beaten the disease!" The guard had said, that fact seemingly tearing a hole in Nathan's head.
"What?" He asked and Rose grabbed the guard by the collar.
"Say that one more time, try to joke about it one more time" She growled and Nate stood ready to step in.
"She's in the throne room! Look at her for yourselves!" The guard said and those were all the words Nathan needed to run for the kingdom's seat of power.
His friends weren't far behind but all that mattered to him in that moment was to see if Luna was ok. He ran past empty hallways and even got lost a few times before he finally found the large doors leading to the throne room. He swung them open to see Celestia and Luna, one looking ready to crack while the other looked ready to kill.
"This land will only have one ruler! I will take my rightful place, even if I have to kill you.. " Luna said to the white alicorn, Celestia looking frozen in shock as cracks started to spread across the room until a part of the wall exploded.
Light flooded the room and Nathan looked on in fear as the moon suddenly rose behind Luna. The hole was placed perfectly between the two thrones, allowing the guardians running into the room a front row seat to the eclipse being created by Luna.
"Luna.. I cannot allow you to keep the moon up for the rest of eternity! Please don't do this!" Celestia pleaded only for a large blast of magic to send her flying, the spell had been cast so quickly Nathaniel hadn't even seen Luna move.
"Luna! What are you doing!?" Nathaniel yelled and ran further into the room, the now twisted eyes of the Lunar princess looking at him with glee.
"Taking my rightful place" She laughed, her voice changing and dark shadows moving over her body.
A ball of shadow picked Luna up into the air, the thing swirling around her in all different kinds of dark colors until it finally revealed a dark figure standing in the princess's place. Celestia got up with the help of Osiris and Rose, Nathaniel seeing her look of fear mirroring his own. The figure standing before them looked nothing like Luna, her black fur and sharp fangs making him back away. The monster mist like mane and tail covered the ceiling as her mad cackling filled the castle, The human's blood running cold.
"The night will last forever!" She laughed as more stone cracked around the room, pieces of the roof falling down on them all.
'We're too late..' Nathan thought as the sky grew darker and darker, the once warm spring day turning into a cold night.
Enjo Steelheart's POV
I looked down at the camp filled with griffins, their fires lighting up the dessert. My long tail laid in the sand of the dune, the snake like appendage twitching gently against the warm sand. I didn't know why there was a weird eclipse in the sky, but the sudden darkness had helped us move even closer the griffin troops. My tail gripped my dagger as I saw my fellow brothers in arms move down towards the light of their campfires, the soldiers down there seemingly cooking meat.
I felt my mouth water at thought of getting a nice warm meal, something else than the meat from a desert rat or spoiled rations. I saw how my commander moved down the dune from behind me, his face dripping with blood. Our leader had so many fangs in his dog like snout some of them permanently stuck to the outside of his mouth. Yet even with a hideous appearance consisting of a scared and burnt body would I follow my commander to the depths of Tartarus. The wolf like pony had gotten us this far, and he hadn't disappointed us yet.
"The scouts are dead" He slurred to me and I nodded, seeing that we were ready to strike.
"Hit them hard and hit them fast. You don't have to make sure they're dead, you just have to make sure they're not getting up" The wolf-pony said before suddenly howling, chaos erupting around us.
The camp was besieged by thirty mutants, all of them slamming into the heavy armored soldiers at first and tearing their throats out. Commander Fylk just ran down to join them and I followed him, not wanting to give the mountain pissers any time to relax. I ran into the war-zone that was the griffins forward camp and with ease I cut down one of their scouts. He'd tried to signal for help using an arrow on fire, the arrow was swiftly caught by my tail and shoved into his throat. I picked up my dropped dagger and continued through the camp, seeing their tents on fire.
The embers rose into the night sky as we cut down any defense they put up, the griffins finally starting to flee. We cheered as the last ones alive ran away over the dunes in fear, their camp now ours. They didn't think we would be bold enough to hit one of their main camps, they couldn't have been more wrong. I watched with glee as all papers with interesting information were brought to the commander, one of the few of us that could read.
"How many dead?" Fylk asked his second in command, a hippogriff with blue and black feathers.
"Seven of our warriors, thirty-three of their soldiers" He responded and I could see my commander sigh.
"Lay them to rest so the Sandwalker will see bravery, and I mean all of the dead. I do not want you mutilating the corpses of our enemies" He told the hippogriff who nodded and moved off with some of our boys to bury the dead.
"We won today, so lets honor the sacrifice of the dead and eat the invaders meat!" The wolf-pony finally called out and my fellow mutants happily fell upon the meal cooked by the griffins.
"What does the notes say?" I asked him and looked at the various documents.
"War, son. They speak of war" Commander Fylk said grimly and showed me a letter detailing the death of the dragons ruler.
"By the grace of the wind.." I said and looked at him in fear.
"It seems our fight just got bigger son" He told me and moved away to grab something to eat, leaving me to look at letters detailing the death of hundreds of ponies in the griffin kingdom.
"May the Sandwalker watch over you Equestria.. You will need it.." I said before waling away to get some meat.
Author's Note
Part one is done! I finally got to this point in the story and I'm moving us closer and closer to war times :D I think the world will be so happy to hear King Guto's plans for their future.
Anyway leave a like and comment if you liked this chapter, as it might take a while until the next one gets released. School has started and it's ready to dick me over again, so wish me luck!
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Chapter Eighteen: The angel's nightmare Part Two
Nathaniel's heart was filled with fear as he looked upon the midnight black mare. Her cold teal eyes looked at him with a primal hunger for blood, something that made the human slowly back away. Nathan quickly looked around for some sort of escape route, his fight or flight instinct working overtime as the Nightmare-ish mare jumped him, her fangs showing.
Nate was frozen in fear and his legs felt stiff. For a second he looked into the open maw of the beast, time seemingly slowing down around him, before the teen was tackled to the side by Rose. The sanguine looked at what had been Luna moments before in horror, her hooves searching for the throwing knives in her saddlebags.
"Princess! Stop!" Osiris yelled and ducked under a blast of magic from the corrupted mare.
"I am not some lowly princess! I am your queen! I am Nightmare Moon!" She growled and unfolded her wings, air sweeping into the room from the hole in the wall.
The eclipsed moon seemed to glow an ominous red as crystals spread across the floor. They were red in colour and reminded the human of the twisted throne room Sombra had created for himself. That bastard had done this to Luna, he had turned her into some kind of monster. Nathaniel felt both fear and anger over what was happening as he looked at the mare, her eyes filled with so much hatred.
"Luna you must stop! The world cannot live in darkness!" Celestia's voice yelled over the throne room, she sounded so broken as her eyes looked upon the corrupted being Luna had become.
"Is it better to be blinded by your light dear sister ?" Nightmare hissed and put all focus on the white alicorn in front of her.
They were all spread out in the once glorious throne room. Celestia stood in the middle of it, the two thrones and the hole in the wall behind her. Nightmare stood in front of the open doors at the opposite of the thrones, her mane and tail covering the ceiling like a dark blue smoke. Nathan and Rose was to her left, the two having gotten up while Nightmare argued with Celestia. Blaze and Osiris looked at the them all from the corrupted mare's right, the wolf suddenly bolting towards her with a loud barking.
"Stop dammit!" The scout said and tried to grab the wolf, but he wasn't quick enough as the hound ran for the black mare.
The alicorn simply lit her horn and sent Blaze flying backwards with a shock-wave, hitting Osiris. The scout and wolf tumbled across the floor, the stallion moaning in pain. The human looked at them and with a growl sent a blast of magic from his hand towards "Luna", the mare deflecting the beam back at him with a dome shield. He was sent back into the wall with a groan, hitting the stone floor with a 'thud'.
Rose rushed to his side and tried to help him stand, looking at the demonic mare with fear as blue cracks started to spread across the wall Nate was leaning on. The man looked up to see large chunks of the roof coming plummeting down towards them, the large pieces of rock glowing with the same blue cracks as the wall. The human simply grabbed Rose and covered her with his body, holding his hands over his head in fear.
But instead of being crushed by the rock were they suddenly somewhere else, laying next to Osiris and Blaze. Celestia's horn was lit like she had just preformed a spell, her eyes intensely focused on Nightmare Moon. Her once scared and broken look was replaced with one of rage, the white alicorn growling.
"Leave them alone you damn demon " Celestia said and blasted a great white bolt of magic at the corrupted mare.
Nightmare simply deflected that spell as well, the beam hitting the walls and ceiling. The throne room had so many holes in it now hat it was a wonder the roof hadn't buried them all yet. The black alicorn dashed for Celestia, the princess of the sun unfolding her wings to get out of the way. The two alicorns collided and the impact was powerful enough to leave cracks in the stone floor. They both flew out through one of the holes in the wall and the human desperately started to search his bag.
"We need that damn water!" Osiris said as he got up with the wolf, seeing the red crystals growing onto the walls.
"By the gods, the corruption turned her into some sort of beast from Tartarus" Rose said in disbelief as she watched the hole in the wall.
Soon yellow and black beams of magic started to light up the sky, Celestia fighting back against the monster that had taken her sister. Yet it was clear who of them seemed the most ready for a fight, as the eagle eyed sanguine could see Celestia being hit several times. Nathan could see it as well in the corner of his eyes, finally finding the vial of water. They would need to get it into Nightmare's body, something Nathan had no idea how to do.
"We need to get outside. Now" Osiris said as the castle shook, thunder starting to echo over the great building.
"We will have to force her onto the ground! I am not flying after her into that storm!" The bat-pony said as they ran out from the throne room.
Celestia's POV
I felt like my bones almost shattered when she hit me. The impact sent us both out one of the holes she'd made in my castle's wall, the darkness from the sky making it hard to see castle grounds below. I looked at her snarling face as she tried to blast me with another powerful dark spell, those eyes still belonging to my sister. She was in there, I had to get her out I had to save her.
My thoughts cost me precious time, a blast of magic hitting my head. I fell for a few meters before managing to unfold my wings and heal myself. I could feel blood dripping down my snout, my head throbbing with pain. This couldn't be happening, not to Luna. She hadn't done anything wrong, my little sister had fought for our nation and forged an alliance with the dragons. She did not deserve this.
It was with a heavy heart I fought back. I dove under her blasts, kicked her side if she got close and used the power of the sun in an attempt to blast her out of the sky. I only needed to subdue her, then I could help her. I had already lost one sibling, I would not loose another. He had deserved better, I would not fail Luna the same way.
"Please sister! Stand down!" I yelled over the thunderstorm starting above us.
Deep down I knew it was pointless. Luna was no longer in control, or at least not good parts of her. This was not my sister that feel out of the nursing tree when we were foals. This was not my sister that told our brother she'd become the most skilled warrior in the world. This was not my sister that had ruled our nation as I mourned. This was a monster, a monster that had stolen my beloved little sisters eyes.
"Never " She hissed and a torrent of lightning bolts hit the castle, the screams of the ponies inside could be heard from even up here.
The mere thought of this beasts hurting those ponies made me see red, finally allowing me to see past the body she had taken. If this creature wanted to fight then I would give her one. With a battle-cry I teleported in front of her, slamming my body into her's to break her focus. It worked at first, the sudden impact stopping the lightning bolts hitting the building. Yet I soon saw ponies seemingly made out of shadows run into a broken wall of the castle, seeing Nightmare Moon's smirk.
"You can never save them all" She said before a great light lit up the sky, a lightning bolt missing me just barley.
I simply sent another bolt of magic her way, trading blows and raising shields to protect myself from her attacks. Yet as I grew tired from casting spell after spell she didn't seem to tire whatsoever, the black alicorn only grinning madly at me. Her laughter soon started, that cold heartless laughter that reminded me of something out of a horror story. I only kept sending every ounce of power I had her way, the corrupted alicorn simply blocking or dodging the spells. When I manged to hit her she was barley phased, pushing on to kill me.
"The darkness grants me my power sister! You cannot control me anymore!" Nightmare said with a cackle as more lightning crashed over the sky.
I growled in response and dashed for her. I allowed my magic to teleport me right in front of her snout and I slammed into the mare, wrapping my wings around her to keep her from flying away. We hit the stone roof and I felt some of the bones in my wings crack, making me scream out in pain. I rolled off Nightmare who got up quickly, blood dripping from her head. She growled and blue crystals started to grow over her body, forming into armor.
"You think that's enough to burn away the darkness!? You disgust me" Nightmare hissed, summoning a black scythe into her magical grasp.
The was Luna's favorite weapon. It had been forged by our father, blessed by our mother and decorated by our brother. It was a reminder of what once was, a reminder of happier times. I could still see Luna in those cold eyes, some part of her looking out at me. I summoned my own weapon just before she swung the heavy scythe at me with a downward angle, the black weapon met by my sword's blade.
The weapon had been our father's, used in rituals and to protect our village from the whatever tried to hurt it. He had given it to me with a prideful smile, told me to always look out for those I love. I had promised him to not fail him, to protect my family at any cost. If he saw me now he would be so disappointed, so heartbroken.
I felt my heart grow heavy with each blow sent my way by the Nightmare, her mad screams making it ache. I deflected strike after strike, sent spell after spell her way. The corruption let nothing affect her, like some sort of shield. I could only hold back tears as I saw Luna in front of me, twisted into a creature of hatred. I had caused this, this was my fault. By the gods, I felt so weak.
"I'm sorry.." I whispered as she slammed her weapon hard enough into my blade to send it flying.
With a scream she drew her scythe back for the killing blow, my eyes following the blade's trajectory. I lit my horn and felt the thunderclouds above me, waiting for a command to act. I closed my eyes as I brought down a gigantic lightning-bolt on us both, feeling the ceiling give away under my hooves.
I fell down the hole, my muscles locked up and my body crying out in pain. I hit the stone floor with a wheeze, as did Nightmare a few meters away from me. The storm outside lit up the dark castle hallway and I looked in disbelief as the corrupted mare stood up, dragging her blade across the floor. She should have at least been unable to move after that, but the mare just looked more angry than ever.
"You dare take control of my storm!?" She yelled and I felt a tight magical grip around my throat, picking me up from the ground.
I could see clearly one of my wings looking bent and broken, the appendage starting to hurt as the effects of the lightning subsided. I looked once again into her eyes as I felt my air supply being cut off, her dark smile making me terrified. I kicked and tried to scream as darkness started to overtake my vision, her teal eyes constantly there, watching me die with glee. I spat and tried to cast a spell before I felt consciousness starting to slip away.
"I can hear her, she's crying out for help. But you failed her, just like you failed yourself" She said and dropped me to the floor.
"Luna.." I said and tried to crawl away, casting Solaris Mico at the Nightmare as a last ditch attempt.
She yelled out in pain and held her burnt face as the spell passed, the most common battle-spell having done more to her than any advanced technique taught to us by Starswirl. I managed to get up and stumbled towards the door containing the elements of harmony. The magical gems had to be able to cure her, they were my only choice left. I had ignored the sounds of fighting in the castle until now, but I could clearly hear it. My soldiers were trying to survive the onslaught of Nightmare's shadow creatures.
"Do you hear that!? That is where your rule leads Celestia! Despair and chaos! You're not any better than Discord!" She taunted and I stopped, turning around to look at her smirking face.
"Don't you dare say his name" I growled and sent another blast of Solaris Mico her way.
The lightning suddenly brought down from the roof however made my spell-casting useless, the rubble sending me backwards and blocking off the hallway for us both to engage in any further battle. I saw the hole in the roof and unfolded my wings only to cry out in pain, remembering that one of my wings were broken. I started up a healing spell and stumbled out a hole in the wall.
I had stumbled out into the garden and looked out towards the ballroom, seeing a large hole in its walls. Shadow ponies had it under siege, my guards trying desperately to push them back. I could only growl and started to move towards the chaos when I saw my sword laying there in the dirt. It must have fallen from the roof when Nightmare knocked it out of my magical grasp.
I reached out and picked it up with my magic, feeling better about having the weapon once again in my grasp. It was then I noticed the army of shadow ponies around me, they seemed to form from the shadows. I raised my blade and glared at them, dried blood and ash being mixed in with mud as the rain fell from the sky. I would not be able to get to the hole, I could only hope my Guardians were there and helped the soldiers.
"Hold out sister, just a bit longer" I said and buried my sword in a shadow's head.
Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I looked at the sea as we left the small island behind. We had been forced to rest as we made our way to the zebra nation, the dragons not being able to fly the whole way. The largest dragons left had taken a long time to join us again, having hidden the remaining eggs in some undefinable cave. The griffin troops would occupy the capital and search for any remaining dragons or eggs, but they would all be gone by the time they got there. I was happy that the dragons had joined us, willing to serve the human in a war against those who had killed their leader.
Yet I knew deep down the human was not the safest bet. He was a young creature with no seeming control over his power and already developing a habit of drinking. As the honorary guardian of princess Luna I had expected better by the time I met him in the Crystal Empire, but he had turned out to be a disappointment. Maybe now he could finally grow beyond his seeming unwillingness to serve and help our nation. He was blessed by the goddess for crying out loud, a serving spell or not, that should make any creature feel pride in protecting their kingdom.
"My Lord" I heard Violet say, her voice sounding annoyed and tired.
"Report commander" I told the mare.
"The dragons are getting restless. They crave revenge for the Dragon Lord yet as we're taking time to deliver that their trust in our mission is faltering" She told me and I growled.
"They know we need more than a couple of dragons to win a war. Our navy is still on its way back and the Dark Kingdom is not a good choice for us at the moment" I told my commander who sighed.
"The Raven could be wrong. We have always been given strange reports about the Dark Kingdom, most have turned out to be lies" Violet insisted and followed me as I made my way over the deck.
"I will trust the information given to me by the Solar Guardians. They always manages to get needed information out fast" I informed her and she rolled her eyes.
"If you say so my Lord. Just know that every day spent trying to get the Zebras help is another day for King Guto to invade our country" The mare told me and walked below deck with a huff.
The dragons weren't the only ones who were getting agitated it seemed. I simply sighed and walked up the stairs to the helm, Spectral Vision looking out over the ocean. The stallion had been quiet since we left The Dragonlands, always looking towards our next destination.
"Permission to speak freely sir?" The unicorn asked, I simply complied with a nod.
"We will never make it back in time to face the first invasion force. Even with our fastest ship on route will the capital burn before we get there" He said with a frown.
"What do you suggest then?" I asked the white eyes unicorn who grinned slightly.
"We make use of what we know of the griffins weapon and what knowledge we have ourselves" The stallion told me and looked back to a box behind us, marked with the Archmage's cutie mark.
"Let's hope that mad old wizard drew some good diagrams.." I muttered and walked over to it with Spectral.
Nathaniel's POV
The man rushed down the hallways with his companions following him close behind. The battle between Celestia and her corrupted sister raged outside, lightning bolts hitting the castle grounds as they clashed. The man was just trying to get to the garden as quickly as possible, hoping to save his friend. The way his footsteps echoed as he ran down the hall added an almost haunted feeling to the empty castle, where had all the guards gone?
Soon they could hear screams from servants and angry shouts from guards, the walls of the castle crumbling from the power released by the two alicorns battle. Fire was also spreading throughout the castle, old banners and pieces of the ceiling filled with smoke. It was hard to imagine that mere minutes before it had stood tall and proud, seemingly ready to take on an army. Now it was being destroyed, torn to pieces by the lightning and powerful magic attacks.
The four of them came running into the ballroom, seeing guards overwhelmed by ponies made from shadows. They reminded Nathaniel about Sombra, their very existence a result from the corruption. Rose didn't hesitate and rushed into the well lit room, her hooves hitting the white tiles as she threw a knife into the head of one of the shadows. It died from the attack to the man's relief but the three others taking its place worried him.
The ballroom was large, large enough to hold at least five hundred people, or ponies in this case. It was decorated with suns and moons everywhere, shields bearing Celestia's and Luna's cuite marks placed on all the pillars in the room. A silver chandelier hung from the dome ceiling, the thing shaking from the battle outside rocking the castle. The walls and floors were a sterile white, only being lit up by a few banners or red carpets here and there. There was a section of the room that was slightly elevated, instruments like a piano and guitar could be seen laying around.
The ponies in the room were also a concern. Many servants were hiding under the unprepared tables, all from maids to cooks yelling out in fear as the shadows got close. The massive amount of guards in the room were also another roadblock for him to get to Luna, all of them having created one large mass of battling ponies.
One of the walls had been blown up, leaving a large hole in the middle of the ballroom. The shadows seemed to come from that hole, many of the golden clad guards trying to push them back into the gardens. Yet even with the valiant attempt at keeping the evil at bay did some still slip through, explaining the many shadows running around in the room. So far it didn't seem like there were any casualties, but a few servants ans guards looked to have broken limbs.
"Eyes sharp kid. Don't loose that water, save anyone you can and don't die" Osiris told him with a nod before he threw himself into the frenzy.
The battle raging in the ballroom was hard to describe. The shadows moved almost to fluently as they attacked, their speed making it hard for the human to pinpoint where they would strike. Nathan reached for the enchanted war-hammer and took a defensive stance before he was suddenly sent flying. A shadow had rammed into him from his left, sending him further away from his companions.
The human landed with a grunt and felt the war-hammer escape his grasp. The sudden loss of his greatest weapon didn't sit well with him as the shadow quickly advanced on the downed man, a crocked smile spreading over the smoke pony's face. It seemed to form a blade made from the same thing in mid air and then it ran for Nathan. He quickly rolled out of the way and drew his own blade as the shadow brought it down on the ground. The tiles he had laid on moments before cracked under the smoke sword's weight, the creature growling at him.
"Come on! I've killed worst things than you!" Nathaniel yelled and it lunged for him, only for a grey blur to hit its side.
Blaze and the shadow pony rolled across the floor for a few meters before suddenly coming to a stop. The wolf's thick magic-absorbing fur easily protecting him against the strikes delivered by the smoke sword, allowing the hound to bite down on the shadows head and crushing it. The shadow turned to dust and the wolf ran to his owner's side, the human petting his head.
"Good job bud" He said and Blaze barked in response before they both turned their attention to the battle.
Rose and Osiris had both helped the guards clear a path through the shadow ponies. The two Lunar Guardians both used their speed to their advantage, cutting down as many shadows as they could in one section of the ballroom before moving on to the next one. The human didn't want to let them do all the work, so he quickly searched for Valkyrie with his eyes. Where was the damn war-hammer?
Nate was forced to fight only using his sword however when a group of shadows suddenly attacked him. They all tried to grab at the bag around his hip, the very same bag he had stored the holy water in. He couldn't be sure if these creatures knew what was inside the bag, but it didn't really matter. They were trying to destroy the only thing that could save Luna and he would not accept that.
With a battle-cry the man and his wolf attacked the six shadows surrounding them. It was a moment of pure instinct as Nathan ducked under each blade swung his way, trying to avoid the same fate as Luna. With the help of Blaze grabbing a hold of one of the shadows legs with his jaws could Nathaniel bury his sword into its chest. The creature died with s shriek and turned to ash, its brethren trying extra hard to kill them because of it.
For several minutes were there nothing but slashes and parries in the man's head, the sound of battle becoming part of the background noise as he focused on staying alive. He moved across the dance floor as more and more shadows joined in on the attempt to kill him. It was getting harder and harder to deflect a blow sent his way as the minutes passed, almost twenty shadows crowding him.
It was then a large portion of the creatures were sent flying by a green light and a recognizable metallic clang. The human saw how a large stallion dressed in thick golden armor stood behind the shadows. The gray horn on his head and his blue eyes were stuck to the human as he wielded the war-hammer dropped by the teen. The shadows tried to aim their blows at the newcomer instead, his large helmet absorbing any strike delivered to his head.
"I think this belongs to you guardian Sol" The stallion said with a deep voice and threw the legendary weapon to the black haired man.
Nathaniel caught it and dropped his sword for a second, swinging Valkyrie around him in a circle. The weapon hit every shadow near him and sent them flying with a green flash of magic. The stallion that had saved him drew a broadsword from his back and proceeded to crush any shadow that wasn't caught in Nathan's strike. Soon the mass of shadows that had tried to kill him were dead.
"Thank you" Nathaniel said over the sounds of the battle to the stallion.
"Thank me later Guardian. We still have hostiles in the castle" The giant stallion said and hurried off to help deal with another wave of shadows flooding into the room.
The next half hour was a blur. Nathaniel slowly managed to make his way across the ballroom towards the large hole in the wall. At times the human ran into one of his companions, quickly helping them dispatch of a shadow or two before pushing on. With the help of Valkyrie it became easy for the man to clear out any single shadow coming towards him, the guards rallying behind him as the green shockwaves of his war-hammer lit up the room. Whenever the shadows swarmed him the man would strike at them with all he had, trying to get to Luna.
When a sudden explosion of light erupted from outside the man almost went blind. The following sound shattered a few of the windows and caused Nathaniel's ears to ring for a second. Many of the shadows screamed in pain because of the sudden sound and light, the guards now given a chance to push them back into the garden.
The man rushed after them only to see Blaze sniff the air and run towards one of the many closed doors in the ballroom. The doors seemed to be connected to other half of the castle, smoke pouring out from under them. Rose and Osiris also saw the wolf's actions, giving Nathaniel a nod as they all hurried to the closed doors. Nate tried to push them open but they wouldn't budge.
"Those things are still a threat to the servants and castle guests, so be quick" The golden furred stallion said and the human nodded.
He let Valkyrie rest on his shoulder and Nate put his weight on his right foot. The human forced the doors open with a great swing of the war-hammer that sent splinters down the hall. Fire and smoke flew out towards them and they all coughed, the wolf running ahead of them. Nathaniel didn't want his friend to get hurt, so he followed the hound down the burning hallway.
At the end of the hall was a great stone door. Runes had been carved into it in a ring pattern. The largest ring surrounded a smaller ring and that ring of runes surrounded another. In the middle of them all were a hole, just a round hole where one could insert something. But the gate wasn't what caught the human's attention, but rather the guards on the ground. They looked like hell, bones broken and a black liquid flowing from their mouths. The corruption had started within them.
"Help us.." One gurgled out before he passed out.
"Goddess preserve us.." Rose said as red crystals started to spread across the floor.
King Guto's POV
I looked over the mass of Griffins below me, all their faces looking up at me in awe. I loved that look in their eyes, that utter and total submission. They knew I was their king, they knew only I could lead us back to the glory we once held and they knew I had the means to do it. It was intoxicating, being so close to fulfilling the promise I made to my father. I was so close to victory I could taste it.
"My dear subjects! I speak with you today to answer those questions that linger in your hearts! I know many of you are afraid of conflict, that you see war as the death of our proud nation! But I am here to tell you what war truly is! War, is beautiful " I said, the idol humming behind me to add more power in my words.
"We used to be an empire feared by all the world! We stood as the prime example of what it meant to lead! We pushed the savage Yaks and Minotaurs back to the mountains and forced the Zebras to submit! We killed the demon sitting upon the Black Throne! We had control of the trade routes and we were all kings!" I yelled, the people below cheering.
I could see my son watching me from my left. The balcony we stood on were wide enough to hold the entire court if I so desired, but I only needed for him to see this. My son, a half-breed, was tied by the ancient law to pick up the crown upon my death. If I was to put a half-breed on my throne then I would show him how to truly lead a people.
"Yet, we have fallen from grace! We were pushed out from the south by the dragons, the Changelings killed old king Tyr, the Celestial ponies forced us to submit all our land to the west! The zebras forbade us to mine in land rightfully ours! The savages of the mountains came down and raided out settlements to the north! All of these things because we're no longer feared!" I said, catching my breath before I continued.
"The world council is a disgrace! Among the seats we have two Princesses who have taken control of the sun and the moon, a Dragon Lord to lazy to burn the mutants hiding in the desert, a Queen of spies ready to stab us all in the back, an Empress so incompetent she allowed the deserts remain unguarded and a King who rules a nation of traitors" I growled, I could see anger spreading across the crows as I named the council.
Even some of the ponies in the crows seemed to be patriotic, looking angry at the mention of their former leaders. Perhaps there was something salvageable from their pitiful race, but I doubted it. I would make sure this time that there would be no obstacle, that a war would happen. With the lust for blood rising in the air I couldn't wait for them to hear the reports from my commanders.
The sudden eclipse that had just appeared served my point well, showcasing the sword those ponies held to our necks. With power like that there was no wonder my grandfather had signed away all that land. The old bird had died regretting that decision, begging my father to set things right. When he failed to come up with a plan good enough to take control of Equestria he had made me promised. Now we were here, two generations later and war would finally happen.
"I will no longer sit idle as these parasites leach on our proud nation! We will not be part of a council made up by nations that stole their land! We can rise to the glory we once held by crushing them all under our talons! From this day forward we are officially at war with Equestria!" My voice carried out over the King's Road Square, the griffins and hippogriffs below slowly starting to shout excitedly.
My son watched them all with me. His brown eyes saw their happiness over war, all of their yellow eyes starring up at us with outermost submission. This is what the idol had promised, this is what the old relic had shown me in my dreams. A united people taking back what was originally theirs. It was beautiful, or at least I thought so. In my son's eyes I could only see horror, his young soul not hardened enough to stomach war.
"We have already killed the Changeling Queen and the Dragon Lord! Our fleet attacked both their nations and wiped them out! Whatever scraps remains have fled! We have the Dark Kingdom's submission, the Crystal Empire is gone and the Zebras will soon no longer be threat! Only Equestria remains and once it fall we will once again rule this world!" I yelled and spread my wings, my subjects below doing the same and chanting my name.
"I want you to sign up for our army, to help me take back our rightful land and power!" I finally said, the crowd cheering even louder as I walked back into the castle.
My son followed me quietly, his eyes flicking to the paintings on the walls. He looked nervous, afraid. As my firstborn he had a standard to follow, a way of live he couldn't change. I could see that he wanted to say something, Tyr always had been a talkative one. His younger brothers, his pure-blodded younger brothers, always knew when to show respect. You did not question your king's decisions.
"Father, we cannot go to war" Tyr said, my yellow eyes flicking to him quickly.
"Explain your words son" I said and gripped the idol tightly in my talons.
Had I picked the relic up when I walked away from the balcony? I had a hard time remembering, small details didn't matter these days. The war mattered, now with all the pieces in place. I kept a steady glare on my son, his head kept low. It was a good thing he knew when to show respect, I wouldn't mind punishing him otherwise.
"A war will only cause destruction for us all. We will only gain burnt farmland from the ponies and the zebras would rather blow up their mines than give them to us" He said, a defiant look in his eyes.
"A war will be the thing save the soul of this nation. I've told you this many times child" My voice carried a hint of softness to it.
There was not many creatures I had felt affection towards. Tyr and his mother were two of those, two creatures I could claim I loved. But my half-breed of a son had not inherited my heart for battle, nor my manipulate mind. I would be forced to train him for a ling time if I wanted a son worthy of our steel throne.
"And what is that soul exactly father? Is it a legacy of conflicts filled with death or a reminder of a nation that had so many poor they made up over a fifth of our population?" Tyr asked me with a snarl and I sighed.
"Its a soul of a warrior, a soul not afraid of battle" I said before stopping.
"All warriors need rest father, perhaps our nation should put down its blade?" The grey feathered griffin asked, my stiff glare silencing him.
"Tell your mother I said hello" I told the young hippogiff simply.
"One day she would like to hear those words in person.." Tyr mumbled and jumped out a window, flying off.
I followed him with my eyes for a moment before I was given a letter by one of the guards. It looked a few days old and I recognized the black seal on it, the seal of my puppet Empress. I headed to my private study and locked the six locks on the door before opening the letter. What it said made feel so much anger I threw it to the side and punched my talon into the rock wall, leaving clear cracks.
"That idiot! Does she think she can fail me!? I will send back her boy's ear for thi..!" I started before feeling my throat closing.
I couldn't breathe, I felt like the life was being squeezed out of me. I held my throat and desperately tore down a few books from a shelf. I looked to the idol and saw its pulsing yellow light, that beautiful yellow light. I could feel its disappointment, its anger and one word whispered through my mind that made me feel very small.
"Failure" The idol whispered and I fell to the ground as pain spread through my body.
"I did not fail! I will take conquer this world!" I croaked out and felt the force let go of my throat.
I gagged and spat onto the floor, feeling like a Yak had chewed on me. Had the idol just taken away control? Had it just tried to kill me? I looked at the artifact with much more caution as I got up, my own words ringing in my head. Had I been right or wrong about it requiring no price? As the idol suddenly swept a wave of calm over me I didn't care. Any price was worth what this artifact could offer, right?
Nathaniel's POV
The human looked at the corrupted guards and rushed to their side. The wolf must have heard their cries and smelled the disease among the smoke. The smell of the burning building couldn't cover up the stench of death in the air, the many ponies on the ground crying out for salvation. The corruption was a horrible disease, it destroyed whatever it touched.
"Dammit we need healers here now, they won't last long" The stallion said from the human's left.
"She tried.. She tried to open the door.." One guard coughed out, dried blood clinging to his coat.
"What is behind that door?" Nathan asked his fellow guardians and Rose looked at the old gate.
"The elements of harmony. The weapons that vanquished Discord and defeated Lord Tirek" The sanguine claimed.
"We need to force Luna to drink the water, perhaps they can help" The man said and hurried up to the door.
As the man examined the door his companions looked over the guards. They shook their head as they reached a few that laid still, a dark pool of black liquid under them. Lives would be lost because of whatever had taken Luna's body, and it would suffer for it. As the man looked at the small hole in the door Nate could feel the war-hammer humming, a strange metallic humming that got stronger the closer it got to the door.
"Who made this door?" The teen asked his companions.
"The princesses mother, the goddess of fate. Why do you want to know kid? Only Celestia can open those doors, which is the reason the elements are safe from the Nightmare" Osiris told him.
Without answering the young man inserted the slim handle of the war-hammer into the hole and then twisted it. The rings of runes lit up with a green glow and the ancient door opened. His companions and the guards that still were conscious looked at him in awe. Nathaniel looked at the strange pedestal in the middle of the room, six gems resting upon it. They all glowed when he entered the room, a warm feeling spreading across human and his friends.
"I thank you human for opening that door. Tearing off Celestia's horn would have been a waste of time" A dark female voice said from behind him.
Before Nathan could react had he been flung backwards by a great forced and rolled across the floor. The Nightmare stood there with a grin on her face as each gem was picked up by her smoke like mane. Rose spread her wings and threw herself at the mare. The bat-pony was knocked out of the sky as the black mare used her tail like a whip, hitting Rose in the side and sending her into one of the walls.
Osiris and Blaze both tried to force Nightmare Moon away from the door with raw strenght. The wolf bit into the mare's leg while Osiris slammed himself into her side. Both were picked up and thrown aside, Nightmare sending Blaze out a window and Osiris out a hole into the garden.
With two friends gone and one knocked out it became a battle between the green eyed teen and the black mare. Nathan raised Valkyrie into the air and slammed it into the ground, sending a shockwave towards Nightmare who formed a shield. The alicorn growled and lit her horn, a dark smirk on her muzzle.
"Kneel, servant " She hissed and the man could see his arms glowing.
With her horn lit ablaze the alicorn activated the servant spell placed on the human. He could see the magical tattoo swirl around his forearms, the chains flouting just above his skin. The pain hit him like a truck, sending him onto his knees screaming in agony. Lightning flashed over his body, leaving burn marks and imprinting the chains onto his arms. The spell suddenly stopped, the man sitting on his knees.
Nathaniel was panting, his eyes open wide. The spell had been worse than the one in the cage. When they had first captured him the lightning hitting his body hadn't left him with scars, this attack had done more than that. His clothes looked burned and the sword on his hip surged with magical energy.
"My sister at least did one good thing before sending you away. Leaving you without that fail-safe had been disastrous for my plan" The Nightmare said and dragged him over the floor with her tail.
His vision was blurry as she dragged him out into the gardens. Osiris called out to him and tried to get up only for thick vines to wrap around his limbs, holding him still. Soon the grass that he was dragged across was replaced by black tiles, the Nightmare dragging him past the statue of Discord.
"There was no other way" A voice said in his mind before the statue got out of view.
Nathan had a hard time staying awake as his body screamed for rest. Nightmare Moon finally let him go before summoning a black scythe. She raised it above her head and grinned, her white fangs almost glowing. The eclipsed sun looked over them both, the two celestial bodies glowing dimly.
"I hope she will remember this. How you died under her own moon" The mare said before bringing down the blade towards the man.
"Luna.. I'm sorry.." Nate mumbled and closed his eyes, awaiting the blow.
But it never came. The teen looked up to find the scythe surrounded in a light blue aurora, a clear opposite of Nightmare's hard and cold dark blue one. For a second he didn't see Nightmare's eyes, but the tear filled ones of Luna. It only lasted a second, but a second was all he needed. The man grabbed the vial of water from his bag and popped the lid. With one fluid motion he poured the content into Nightmare Moon's jaw and forced it shut.
The black alicorn swallowed it without even thinking, gagging and screaming in pain as the holy water burned away at the corruptions hold over Luna's body. She growled and kicked the human in the chest, sending him onto the ground. Nathaniel let out a pained whimper as he hit the floor, several of his ribs broken from the kick. His vision went dark but he could see Nightmare stumbling about, dropping the elements.
The Nightmare's body looked like liquid water for a second before taking on the form of a sticky dough. The shape trashed and screamed in anger before something seemed to come loose from it. Luna's body slipped from the corruptions grasp, falling onto the floor with burns and cuts all over her body. The being now without a host shirked to the heavens, looking more like a melting clay figure than an alicorn.
The human saw how the elements were picked up by a golden glow, a large figure standing above Luna protectively. The princess of the sun had a crack in her horn, a broken wing, a hind leg she refused to stand on and her coat was covered in ash and blood. But the thing about her that made him shiver was her eyes. They were filled with so much hatred, so much anger Nate was certain she would call down the burning celestial body upon them all.
The six gems started to spin around Celestia as what was left of the Nightmare shirked and tried to jump her. The gems simply created a see through bubble shield around the princess that the creature hit, screaming in agony. Celestia only gave it a cold glare as the gems suddenly lit up the sky, an enormous beam coloured like the rainbow hitting Nightmare.
"Nooooooooooooooooo!!!" It screamed before shattering into millions of tiny pieces, the rainbow coloured light traveling over the castle.
The man didn't know what happened next as his vision darkned. All he knew was that Luna was safe and that was all that mattered. He couldn't properly make out the voices as he slept, but a familiar barking and growling made him feel safer. Nathan had saved his friends. Nathan had saved Luna. The human could finally rest knowing they were all safe.
Author's Note
And that was chapter 18! Sorry this took a little while longer than expected. I had a math test and the like, so writing had to take a backseat. I hope you all are well and that you enjoyed the chapter. I was thinking for a long time what I would do with Luna, and I now have an idea. I hope you leave me some feedback in the comments, I always love getting some tips on how to improve my writing.
Anyway, thank you for reading.
Chapter Nineteen: Angelic recovery
There was a soft mumbling next to him. Nathaniel wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, nor could he tell if he was still injured. The man opened his eyes and hissed as light hit them, a window right in front of him. It took the human a few seconds to look again, his vision now more accustomed to the light. The room Nate found himself in was unknown to him. It reminded him of a hospital ward, with rows of beds to his left and right.
The ward had white walls and a white floor. It all looked very sterile to the young man who noticed a couple of figures standing to his right. One of them was Healer Nightingale, the hooded mare giving him a stern glare. She seemed pissed about the human being injured again. He tried to sit up but only hissed in pain, being forced to lay down by the healer.
"You're very lucky to be alive Guardian Sol. You were so low on magic that healing potions barely worked! Beyond that you suffered from more broken bones and bleeding wounds. I cannot be here to patch you up every time you run away to do something foolish!" She said and moved out of the way as a mare dressed in a white gown walked up to his side.
"I am the head mistress of this ward. You have been asleep for a few days honored guardian" The mare said with a smile and pulled off the blanket covering Nathaniel's body.
The man was covered in bandages, again. The worst part was his chest, the entire thing bound thing by the white straps. The teen had some on his arms and legs as well, the appendages looking very bruised. He didn't want to know how his chest looked after the kick Nightmare had delivered to his torso.
The thought about the corrupted mare made him fly out of bed, his body screaming at him to rest. Nathan needed to find Luna, he needed to make sure she was ok. Healer Nightingale stopped him before the man could take a single step, holding up a hoof. Her rainbow coloured eyes glared at him, Nate sighing.
"I need to see Luna, Healer Nightingale" The man said, the white robed mare shaking her head.
"No you are not. She will come to you, not the other way around. You will actually rest this time" His caretaker said and forced him back into bed.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
For the next couple of hours the head mistresses and Nightingale checked the human's wounds. They removed the bandages from his arms and Nathaniel looked upon the marks left by the spell. The green eyed man had a chain pattern on his forearms, burnt into his skin by the spell. It looked like he had been branded like cattle, which was most likely what spell had been used for once. It was terrifying for him to see what the spell had left behind, just how much damage it could do to him. Nathan could feel his hands shaking at just the thought.
"Be calm Guardian Sol. Within the walls of Canterlot you are safe" The headmistress told him.
"Canterlot?" Nate asked her and she nodded.
"Our capital and greatest city" She smiled, backing away from the bed to allow Healer Nightingale to work.
The assassin looking mare grabbed a few potion flasks from a wooden table next to him, giving him a bottle with a yellow liquid inside. Her green mane and yellow coat fit with the strange liquids in all the flasks. The human raised his hand to decline the disgusting looking liquid, only for Nightingale to push it into his face. The bottle smelled horrible, like a mix of dead fish and rotten eggs.
"If you want your body to heal all that damage within a week you will drink that" She said, poking his chest.
"Fine I'll take it" The man hissed out and opened the bottle.
The smell hit him like a wall, making him gag. But with the stern healer watching him the man started to drink from the potion. It tasted better than it smelled, yet it still felt like his tongue was on fire as he drank it. Once he finished with the bottle his sore chest felt a little better, but the pain remained. The teen was then handed a glass of water by the mare by his bed, allowing him to clear his throat.
"We will leave and take care of the other patients. You were not the only one that got injured by the evil force sadly. While we're gone we advise you sleep honored Guardian, your body is screaming out for rest" The headmistress said with a smile and left the room.
"We will allow visitors once we're certain you do not show any signs of Corruption disease and when you're strong enough. Do not walk around alone, do not annoy any other patents that will be brought in here and for the love of Faust rest. We want you to be able to defend us again in the future Guardian Sol" Healer Nightingale said with a smile and followed the headmistress out a door to the left.
The man was left alone in the large ward, sun shining in from the windows. He laid his head back and closed his eyes, letting his mind wander. For the first time in a long while the young man started to meditate, feeling the creatures around him. The human could feel other patients below him, some feeling weak while others felt stronger. The words he pinpointed to most of them were things like: "bravery", "selflessness" or "valiance". Nate assumed he was in some sort of military hospital, which made him sigh.
Nathaniel just wanted to see his friends. The last thing he had seen before he passed out was Luna's tired eyes. The man wanted to stand up and just get out of the room, but for once he decided to listen. After so many days of constant fighting was his body to tired to go on. He needed rest, and so did his friends. Nate just hoped Luna was unharmed by the demon as it tore itself from her body. She had seemed to weak when she laid there on the ground. He suppressed a shudder and let go of his magic. Now it was time to rest, no need for him spy on others.
With a relaxed exhale the Lunar Guardian fell asleep, his calm breathing soon filling the room. What he didn't notice was the pony suddenly by his bed side, looking down at him. The pony had the built of a smaller stallion and a long white horn poked up from under a grey hood. The figure watched him for a good few seconds before nodding to himself, like he approved. Then the pony was gone, the sleeping human in the bed none the wiser.
Rose's POV
I walked down the halls of Canterlot castle with a frown on my muzzle. I could feel the bandages around my back and belly, holding my wings in place. Both of them had been broken, the bones shattered as I hit the ground far below the window. I had been in indescribable amounts of pain, only feeling better after a few minutes of calm breathing. I would have preferred to stay on the ground in those moments of pain, but Nathan needed me.
By the time I managed to drag myself into the garden it was almost over. Celestia had dispatched of the demonic entity, leaving princess Luna and our human friend passed out on the ground. The next few hours went by like a blur for me, being forced to sleep with a potion so the healers could work on me. I could only remember a few details before I was forced to take the red liquid, one of them being Celestia passing out.
It was hard to believe at first, but after the battle it seemed all our best warriors were drained. I was given more information after I woke up, one of the biggest news being that Celestia had skipped her royal duties for one day. I found it amusing how the nobles got so worked up about both our leaders needing time to rest. It was like watching frustrated crows, unable to dig into their favorite meal.
My eyes followed a leaf flying by outside the window, the green sign of summer making me smile. The day was peaceful considering everything that was happening in the world. For a moment I could forget about the griffins, my broken wings and the thousand duties that waited on me once I walked into the Guardian Headquarters. I wanted to go outside and feel the breeze, but I had wasted enough time.
I kept walking down the large hallway until I stood in front of a familiar wooden door, a wooden door that had been in Everfree castle a few days earlier. Nathaniel's mark was still carved into its middle, but now were all our cutie marks carved into the sides of the thing as well. I could even see Guardian Solstice and Guardian Xian's cutie marks on the door, one black sun and one white helmet.
"So, it seems we are no longer divided" I said and opened the door, looking at the large room before me.
There were many desks in the former medical facility, all of them having stacks of letters and unfinished reports on them. I saw how the Solar Guardians had organized their desks, all important papers sorted by date and value. I looked upon my own desk with a small giggle, seeing how chaotically it all looked. The tablecloth on the brown wooden table was blue with Luna's cutie mark on it, marking my workspace as the Lunar princess business. But all the papers on the desk didn't make it look lie the seat of power of a Guardian.
"Have they allowed us to talk with Nathaniel yet?" Osiris voice called out from behind me, making me turn around to the open door.
"No, not yet. Healer Nightingale claims he still needs rest, and I believe her" I told the golden furred stallion who nodded in response.
"All of this couldn't have come at a worse time. We have enemy forces so close to our borders, our leaders are tired, the soldiers are spread thin and the Lord Protector is missing" He said and walked to his desk.
There were seven desk in total. Three for each member of the Lunar Guardians and three for each member of the Solar Guardians. The last desk stood in the middle of the round room, the six others three meters away from it in a circle. That was Silver Wing's desk, the Lord Protector's seat of power. I could only marvel at the gold runes applied to the desk's edges, the shining metal making my eyes grow wide.
"Those are the runes of the princesses father. We should not stare" Osiris said and I shock my head.
"It won't hurt looking at them" I told him and looked over the desk in more detail.
The white wood contrasted sharply with our own brown desks. Yet it was the book that laid on it that drew most of my attention. I couldn't read the title, as the language was unfamiliar to me, but the thing just radiated power. What was thing thing? I reached out and tried to open it, Osiris grabbing my hoof.
"While I don't actually mind looking closer at the desk, that book is off limits" The southern stallion said.
"Can you read the title?" I asked him and he nodded.
"It's Desert Speech, old dialect as well. But yes, I can read it" He told me and shuddered.
"What does it say then?" I asked, letting my hoof touch the book.
"Applied magical theory in the dark arts" Osiris said with a frown.
"What!?" I hissed and backed away from the desk, the stallion doing the same.
"Sounds like a book our fallen king would read. Yet Crystal Sword wouldn't have been allowed in here, which means Silver Wing took this book here by himself" I heard Osiris mutter.
"For what reason? He can't cast magic, with or without his fancy spear" I growled and glared at the book.
Dark magic had almost gotten Nathan and Luna killed. Dark magic was the reason for the Corruption disease in our land. Dark magic was only meant for those with demon blood, nopony else could control it like a Shadow Pony. I only left the desk behind and looked over the reports on my own table.
"Silver Wing have always gone with the rule to fight fire with fire. Perhaps he just wanted to be prepared for the next time" Osiris said and walked to his desk.
"Perhaps" I admitted and started to write my names on a few papers.
An hour past relatively quickly after that. Our piles of works were soon smaller and the thoughts about the book was forgotten. I had never liked dark magic, not even in its controlled state. I knew that the trained mages could control it, that they didn't give into the corruption easily. But mages like Sombra? He had seen a way to gain needed power and become one with the disease, his body crystal. Becuase of his actions would the already tense relationship with Shadow ponies and our people come to a head.
"Oh the kid is gonna love this" I head Osiris say and I looked to the desk furthest to my right, the third Lunar Guardian belonging there.
The stallion held up a medallion with the Lunar Guardians mark on it. Finally, the real sign that Nathan was a Guardian. Celestia must have kept it from the human believing he would screw up. But now the monarch had proof, the medallion a sign of trust. I smiled and motioned for the stallion to follow me.
"We're giving this to Nate, now" I said and my fellow Guardian nodded.
Celestia's POV
The sun and moon had felt so heavy these last few days. I have always had a hard time controlling them both, but that was when Luna could help me if I felt tired. Now I was forced to move the Celestial bodies alone, my sister to weak to even get out of bed. I should have been angry, saddened or maybe afraid over the fact that she was so drained by the whole ordeal. But all I could feel was relief.
I had almost lost her. I had almost lost Luna. The mere thought made my stomach turn. How could I have been so blind? I had focused all my time on protecting her, protecting our nation. I had taken each step in a calm manner and never tried to agitate the other kingdoms. I tried to make sure that nothing would take another sibling away from me, yet I failed. Luna had fallen to the corruption and the human had managed to save her. The human saved my sister, not me.
That fact stung. Nathaniel hadn't been more than another possible threat in my eyes for a long time, a creature from a realm of war. I had hated knowing Luna was alone with the creature out on the sea, in other nations. Yet she kept sending home reports about his progress, about how she was starting to grow fond of "Nathan". It didn't help calm my nerves, if anything it made me more paranoid.
What if he was just pretending? What if he was just waiting for the right moment to strike? Would he try to force himself on her sweet little sister? Try to eat her with his teeth made to chew flesh!? I knew I had started to hyperventilate just thinking about those emotions again, but slowly I felt some kind of calm wash over me. It had not only been Luna's reports that made me slowly start accepting the human's presence near my sister. Guardian Osiris and Guardian Thorn had both vowed to watch over Luna, and by doing so they watched over Nathaniel. Osiris and Rose had spoken about the human like he was a friend.
I was slowly starting to believe it. Maybe I could relax, maybe the world wasn't after hurting my sister? It was then I got Silver Wing's letter. The Lord Protector's words had almost seemed to pass through me except for three of them. "Luna, Corruption, Dying". They stuck to my mind like glue, causing my world to come crashing down. I had failed to protect her. Not even the best warriors I had could push away the darkness.
My rage became directed to the human when they returned. I needed some sort of scapegoat, something to blame all evil on. I didn't want to hit an enemy that wasn't there. I didn't want to accept the fact that this was my fault. I had done everything in my power to protect Luna, which had lead to my baby sister dying in bed. I had felt so powerless in that moment, so angry. Why couldn't I get it right? We had lost our brother so I made sure nothing like that would happen to Luna. But by doing so I caused the very thing that transformed her into a monster.
Had I simply thrown Major Fury in a cell this would never have happened. I knew that all my distrust for the human came from a place of reason, or at least I thought it did once. I looked out my window as the sun shimmered down upon the world, making me smile a little. I had feared the human, I still did to a point. He had great power and his kind seemed to be masters of war. But I had been afraid for too long. I had let the nobles concerns and my paranoia get to me. It was time to finally stop being afraid.
"Guard" I said, a mare in golden armor poking her head in through the door.
"Your Highness?" She asked with a bow.
"Once Guardian Sol has rested he's allowed to see my sister. Make sure the guards near the medical wing knows this" I commanded her, the guard nodding and closing the door.
Nathaniel Sol had saved my sister life. I had to accept that and show him gratitude, or surely something worse would come from the skies. I knew that the griffins were on their way, but that didn't really matter. I had to fix my mistake before I could face Guto. I had to prove to myself that fear no longer controlled my actions. I growled at the thought of the griffin soldiers, having mercilessly tortured and killed the captain of the Golden Stallion .
Betrayal hurt. I had never even thought Guto capable of such an action, to start a war with the world. I had heard about the Dragon Lord's demise, about the green fire from the sky and about the Lord Protector's attempt to gather allies. It was inspiring how far that stallion was willing to go for my nation, how loyal he was. All of the reports scared me, made me uncertain to my people's future. But all I needed was to think of a human ready to die for my sister and those worries washed away. He would not fail her like I did, of that I was certain.
Nathaniel's POV
Nathaniel looked at the small campsite in confusion. The makeshift shelter stood there with snow piling up on its wooden roof. The wooden log he had dragged to the fire place was still there. In the ring of stones a small fire lit up the clearing Nate had called home for three months. Was he finally free? Had it all been some kind of dream?
No. This was not right. His campsite had been ransacked by the Equestrian soldiers, seeking for proof of some sort of crime. After months with Luna and the others there would be nothing left here, his former home was gone. With that thought the young man threw some snow onto the fire and looked down to see his old suit on his body. It came as a shock to look at the piece of clothing after such a long time. Had he really worn this a few months prior? Nathaniel felt a lot better with a sword on his hip now than a tight jacket strangling his movements.
Almost as if his surroundings obeyed him the human found himself in the Captain's Quarters of the Golden Stallion . The sounds of seagulls almost made him calm now, the salty smell of the ocean making him smile lightly. This was better, this was closer to his companions. This was closer to Luna.
"We have changed you. Haven't we Nathaniel?" A familiar female voice called out from behind the man.
Nathan turned around to see Luna entering the cabin through the two doors leading out to the deck. Only white light was behind her, like nothing else was there. This had to be a dream, nothing was really making sense. Yet, if this was a dream that meant Luna was truly here. Luna was safe, she was alive!
Before the mare had time to react the young man had hugged her, resting his chin on her shoulder. The alicorn didn't say anything for a long time, simply letting her hoof run down the human's long black hair. It was a sign of comfort, a well earned thank you. Nate let her go after a while, smiling at her.
"Yeah, I've changed a bit" The green eyed man admitted and Luna smiled back at him.
"You used to dream about running back to that place. I never interfered with those dreams, but I saw them still very clearly. I imagined you would be able to sleep peacefully if you could be there, but then you wanted to come here instead. Why? You have done your part Guardian Sol, you have proven that you are no monster. Why remain?" Luna asked him and walked over to the tea set in the room.
"What kind of Guardian would I be if I abandoned my charge?" He responded and the mare almost dropped the tea cup she hovered his way.
The princess of the Night looked at him for a long time with a smile on her muzzle. She then sat down in a comfortable chair and sipped on her tea, the young man smiling at the sight. He had said this was peaceful, hadn't he? Nathaniel did the same, the tea actually not tasting anything. But I still made him feel warm. After a while Luna looked down onto the floor, looking thoughtful.
"If freedom no longer is your sole motivation Nate, whats is?" She asked him as the world suddenly became light.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
He woke up to the sound of talking outside the double doors to his left. The human felt a lot better than before, allowing him to stand up and looking over his body. It still hurt to look at his bandaged arms, the pain still all too real. Did Luna know Nightmare had done this to him? Nate hoped deep down that was not the case, as the knowledge that she had hurt him to such a degree wouldn't help her recover.
It was then the dream came back to him. Luna had entered his dream and made him feel at peace for a few minutes. Or maybe it had been hours? It was hard to know for how long he had slept, the sun still up in the sky. Yet his sleeping schedule didn't matter as much to him as much as Luna's words did. She had said something that made him think, about his time spent with the ponies. Did he still crave freedom?
The answer was yes. The young man still wanted to be released from the spell but he no longer sought his camp in the woods. Nathan didn't know when it had happened, but he no longer envisioned freedom as living alone with Blaze. Freedom had taken on a new shape for him, one he couldn't quite pin down. Before it had been an easy thing to simply plan for the day he could leave Luna's servitude. Now? He didn't really know anymore. It wasn't easy to imagine himself living alone after meeting his friends.
Nathan got up out of bed and saw some clothes resting on the counter next to it. They were simple dark blue robes, Luna's cutie mark engraved on its arms. The human gladly took them and got dressed. The soft material was the perfect thing he needed, armor and animal skin having taken its toll on his skin. Once dressed Nate walked to the doors and stepped outside from the medical ward, being met by a spear aimed at his chest.
"Oh, my apologies honored Guardian. We thought you were one of those suffering from corruption sickness" The grey furred guard said and lowered her weapon.
"We have been given the order to take you to princess Luna. You can decline but we imagine you don't want to" Another guard said, her green fur sticking out like a sore thumb in the white halls.
"Yes please. I need to see her" The young man said and they both nodded.
The next ten minutes were spent walking through a new maze of halls and doors. Nathaniel was starting to wonder if there was an end to the castle when they suddenly stood before a pair of black doors. A full moon was glowing a soft white on the entrance to Luna's chambers, indicating that this was indeed the princess of the night's quarters.
"We will take our leave. Guardian Thorn and Osiris will be notified about your whereabouts" One of the mares accompanying him said and walked off, her fellow guard following suit.
The green eyed man opened the door immediately after they had walked around a corner. The dark room was suddenly lit up by the two doors swinging open. The light revealed a large square room with bookshelves on both Nate's left and right side. In the middle of the room however laid a large bed with a tired Luna looking at him with a smile. Her mane and tail didn't flow like they used to, now clinging to her body.
"Hello Nathan" Luna said and the human hurried over, hugging the alicorn for real this time.
"You're alive.. I thought that maybe it was just a normal dream.. But no. You're alive" The teen said and she smiled.
"I am, and I couldn't have asked for a better savior" The mare smiled and nuzzled the human's head.
For a few seconds they just hugged, Nathaniel feeling true relief over seeing the mare back to her usual self. When they finally broke away she smiled at his new clothes. Her hoof ran over the soft material that made up the robes arms, seeing the bandages underneath. For a moment Luna looked devastated, lighting her horn to reveal the scars over the teen's arms. The visible burn marks from the magical chains screamed of pain.
"Did I do this to you?" The princess whispered out and looked at the pattern over Nathan's skin.
"You didn't do this. That thing did." The man said adamantly, wrapping the bandage around his arm once more.
"I swore to myself to never harm you. Yet I did so anyway.." She said with a sad sigh, looking up at the human.
"And I swore an oat to keep you safe. Yet you got stabbed and nearly died because of it. No matter how much someone wants to we can't always keep a promise" He responded and sat down on the bed.
For a few moments they just sat there. A maid walked in and bowed before them, bringing out two tea cups. Luna had used tea in the dream to make him feel calm, it still worked in the waking world. He and the princess were both given a cup before the maid walked out, waiting for an invisible sign to bring in more. Nathaniel happily drank the warm liquid which warmed his stiff body. It tasted like blueberries.
"The griffins have declared war then" Luna said as they finished the cup of tea.
"Yeah.. I guess they did.." He responded slowly.
How should he even comprehend that fact? Nate had only been a Guardian for a few months. He was still being taught how to fight and his magical powers weren't all powerful. His only advantage was Valkyrie. But what would happen once he lost the hammer in a battle? It made him bite his lip and close his eyes. Maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea to tell Luna just how terrified the prospect of a war was to him.
Nathan had seen images of war zones on TV back on earth. Nations destroyed, thousands dead and everything on fire. Would that happen to Equestria? It was something terrible to imagine, to think of the beautiful nation as a destroyed conquered colony. Perhaps King Guto wouldn't even take slaves, maybe he just wanted death. The mere thought of someone starting a war for such purposes made his blood boil.
"I will convince Celestia to release you from that spell. You have no reason to fight in a war that is not your own. This is between us and Guto, so once that spell is removed you are allowed to go back home" She stated and he shook his head.
"'Home.. And where is that exactly? It isn't back in that clearing anymore. Not after all of this, not after saving your life" Nathan said with a small grin.
"Do you claim to no longer desire freedom from us?" Luna asked him in confusion and Nathaniel shrugged.
"After everything that has happened I don't think my freedom is as important as not getting killed by an angry griffin army" The man shuddered and the mare couldn't help but to laugh.
"Nathaniel Sol.. A creature forced into servitude yet staying out of fear for death. I hoped we would never have to put you though something like this. I never wanted you to fight in a war. I never wanted a lot of things for you" She said and looked at the floor.
There was more silence between them, the bound human and weak princess just feeling a moment of peace in a time or crisis. Nathan decided to slowly pet the mare's head as the seconds passed, wanting to comfort her. She nuzzled into the hand on her head and they just sat there, two friends reunited. It was a strange feeling to have almost lost Luna, with the mare right next to him acting like a content cat. The alicorn smiled at him as he petted her, that smile causing him to feel even more relieved.
Nate had almost failed in bringing her back. He had almost failed in saving the one creature on this planet that cared for him. He almost felt guilty feeling those emotions with the rest of the squad clearly having accepted him. But Luna was just different, another kind of friend. She had captured him but been willing to give him a chance. She had brought him to Starswirl to teach him magic. She had been the one to throw herself into danger just to save his life. Luna had gone beyond what she owned him, and deep down the mare knew that.
"Kid! You're alive! I thought they had decided to just bury your dead ass under a rock and not tell us" Osiris voice called out into the room as the Lunar Guardian entered through one of the open doors.
"Princess, I can assure you that he cried when they were uncertain if you were cured or not" Rose's voice chimed in as she entered the room with the stallion.
"I can assure you both that I am perfectly fine. I just need some time to rest that is all" The princess said calmly and looked at both the other guardians.
Luna then sighed with a smile forming on her muzzle. She stood up and to Nathan's surprise walked up to both Rose and Osiris, giving them each a hug. It was a simple a gesture, a childish gesture if the nobles could voice their opinion about it, but it was meaningful all the same.
"Thank you both for saving me in my darkest hour" The alicorn said and the sanguine saluted her with a grin.
"It's our job princess. We swore an oath, one we intend to keep" The bat-pony responded, Osiris following her lead.
"To serve, protect, and shield our charge from harm" The golden coated stallion quoted.
"I thank you all for coming here, and I thank you all for saving my life. But I need rest unfortunately. I need to be able to discuss the current situation with Tia and our military leaders" Luna said and all three Guardians left the room, no questions asked.
The princess gave Nathaniel a small smile before she closed the door, leaving him outside with the rest of the Lunar Guardians. They all walked down the halls aimlessly and started to talk about random things, like nothing was wrong with the world. Osiris made a passing comment about some brothel, Rose mentioned something about the nobles and Nathan just listened with a smile.
"Oh right! Kid we have something for you" Osiris grinned and handed the human an item he never thought he would receive.
The pedant was beautiful, a blue moon hanging around the golden chain. It was the same kind worn by Rose and Osiris, the marking of a Guardian. The young man hung it around his neck and admired the gift, feeling like the world was finally cutting him some slack.
"Thank you.." He breathed out with a small smile and eyed the amulet.
"You shouldn't thank us kid. You should be the one who's getting praise" The stallion responded with a grin.
"You did good Nathaniel. Just like we all knew you would" The sanguine told him.
The young man grinned and nodded at the two. Before coming to Equestria he had never felt much pain or hardship. Nathaniel had broken his bones, been stabbed, impaled, blasted by magic, thrown into a cell, out through a magic maze and survived in the cold woods for three months. All of that was not memories the human was fond of. But through those pain filled moments Nate had found friendship. Osiris and Rose had proved to him time and time again that he was accepted as one of their own, a true Guardian.
"Let's go and get something to drink. I need to be drunk to handle the nobles" Osiris said and Rose nodded with a giggle.
"Yeah, I need something strong too. Those potions of whatever they forced me to drink tasted horrible" The man chimed in and his friends laughed, walking away to find a reliable bottle of Liquid Courage .
Silver Page's POV
I looked around the city of Canterlot with uncertainty. A dark hood hid my muzzle from the nobles walking around but my horns still poked through the soft material. I was uneasy by the condescending looks thrown my way by the rich stallions and mares. They all looked ready to attack if I got to close, like I was unclean. I could understand their fear however, as I was now a child of the corruption.
"Are you certain my Aunt have turned on us?" The voice of Crystal Sword asked me.
I turned my attention to the former king in front of me. His red mane hiding his eyes from me as he watched over the noble district. I could hear the pain in his voice however, the betrayal seemed to hit him hard. Then again, family was meant to have each others backs. First his father and now his aunt. I felt great pity for Crystal in that moment. Who else did he reallly have in that moment? His sister? She was still bedridden and weak after the corruption disease almost killed her.
"I am certain your majesty. She turned on the Lunar Guardians and tried to have me abducted" I said, my eyes looking at the ground.
"..I see" He responded and then kept walking, me following behind.
We had been getting many looks as we spoke. Before the nobles had been hostile but they soon seemed to recognize Crystal, looking more like hawks eyeing their prey. A chill ran down my spine as I watched their movements. They seemed to see opportunities everywhere, a chance to make a few bits. Here was a fallen king, let's get on his side and use what power he has left. They wanted him as a tool, a tool that had no other purpose than increase their power. How did the princesses stand all of them?
"I heard from Princess Celestia that news of the war is spreading. She will be forced to act soon, with or without allies" He told me and I nodded slowly.
"And princess Luna?" I asked him quietly.
"She is resting after the possession. Though for how long she'll need rest is anypony's guess". Not many have survived the corruption disease, especially if it was spreading from the heart. I guess the gods gave her their blessing" He responded with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess they did" I responded, my head hung low.
'Does that mean they cursed me then?' I thought, feeling my tail flick nervously.
Crystal Sword seemed to take notice of my bad moon. His eyes looked at me in pity before seemingly an idea hit the young king. He trotted over to one of the buildings to our right, it looked like some sort of expensive restaurant the nobles would visit. He spoke with another stallion for a few moments before returning to my side.
"I am taking you out to eat something later tonight. After everything that happened because of my family you deserve nothing less" He told me with a small smile.
I looked at him in surprise, my two yellow eyes fixated at the stallion in front of me. Why? He did not owe me anything. Crystal hadn't turned me into a monster. Crystal hadn't betrayed me in some way. Crystal hadn't ordered his aunt to abduct me. So why? What had I done to deserve anything like being a Royal Envoy or dining with the king of my homeland? It took me a few seconds to realize I was crying.
"Why?.." I asked him quietly.
"Because after everything you have gone though titles no longer matter. I am no longer king. You are no longer a mere maid. I am simply a stallion trying to apologize for the actions of those who won't" He told me and gave bowed his head.
"..Thank you.." I whispered out and he smiled.
"Let's go back to the castle for now. Celestia will need all the help she can get with the nobles" Crystal Sword said and looked around at the ponies moving towards the castle.
"Yeah, let's go" I said with a smile and trotted towards the castle gates with Crystal following me.
Celestia's POV
I looked over the gathered ponies in the throne room. Every noble family in Canterlot had showed up to hear what I would say. My mind had gone through every possible way to break the news to them, a way to tell that our nation was headed to war. There wasn't any easy way to say it. There wasn't a way to soften the blow of the words I said next.
"We are at war" I said and the entire room erupted into chaos.
While certainly many nobles knew by now about the griffin army being so close to our borders none of them really thought it was a true threat. My words seemed to have been the thing that confirmed their fears. Some tried to actually run out of the throne room only for my guards to force them back into the room, some started to pray while others simply awaited what I would say next.
"SILENCE!" Luna's voice suddenly cut through the chores of panicking nobles.
All of them suddenly turned to the mare sitting to my left. Her mane was braided and a silver crown sat around her head. She seemed to have saved up all her energy for these talks. I did not envy her, sitting here in a throne that felt heavy while the world seemed to burn in the background. But deep down I was happy that she was here, right by my side. I was not gonna lose her again.
"Our people are in danger and you hurry to flee the city!?" Luna growled at the nobles, all of them seemed to cover before the Lunar Princess.
"We tell you this in the hope that you will stand with Equestria in these perilous times. Our nation needs your help if we are to survive" I said, standing up to let my eyes fall upon all the nobles beneath our thrones.
"We need your private soldiers, we need your gold, we need your influence and we need your ships" Luna demanded from the crowds of ponies.
There was immediately outrage from most of the noble families. Many refused to give up their riches or to waste their time on "inspiring the peasants". I growled as I heard them all selfishly clinging on to their status and wealth. Me and Luna had given their grandparents and parents noble titles for actions deemed worthy of them. Had these ponies forgotten why they were born as a "Lord" or "Lady"?
"You have my support princess" A voice suddenly cut through the crowd.
The nobles parted the way for Crystal Sword and Silver Page. The succubus followed behind the former King with her head hung low. She seemed to fear all the glares they got as they headed for the two thrones. Many nobles whispered "traitors" as they passed, making Luna glare darkly at them. Who were the real traitors here?
"With what influence I have left I shall rally the people for your cause. We will not accept the Griffins acting this way. If they want a war they shall have one" The dark mage said and bowed, his eyes fixated on the ground.
Silver Page took his lead and I smiled. Two strangers to our kingdom and they were willing to serve anyway. They acted like the nobles should act, with honor and diligence. Why couldn't their parents have spoiled them less? I had been busy worrying over new dangers during our years in power to even take note of the spoiled attitudes among the nobles rising. Another thing I could add to the list of problems my fear had caused. If only Peace Treaty wasn't recovering, I need a voice of reason among these fools.
"We will happily take any help you can give us" Luna said with a smile and bowed her head at the two.
For many minutes me and my sister was forced to tell the nobles more and more information given to us by Silver Wing. They all reacted poorly to hearing about the loss of the Dragon Lord. His death had not been a good sign for our chances to survive the coming conflict, but we needed to be resilient. Our fleet was heading home and more and more soldiers were arriving at Canterlot's doors. I would not fail my people again. I would not fail Luna again.
My sister had managed to convince the nobles to give up on their gold as time passed in the chamber. They soon realized that their wealth would not protect them against Guto's forces. With more gold in our coffers we would be able to prepare for the coming battle, but with what? All ships close to our capital that was battle worthy was either owned by the nobles or they weren't finished. I had no idea how we would be able to hold them off for long.
The meeting concluded with conforming that the Dark Kingdom would be fighting for the Griffins. While many nobles reacted like it wasn't even surprising some looked genially confused. I knew that word traveled fast between the noble houses so our ally's betrayal wasn't unknown to most in the room. But once again me confirming a rumor made it seem more real to them all.
When it was finally all over Luna pulled me to the side. She looked incredibly tired but asked me to follow her to the human. My beloved little sister told me that it was finally time to release the human from his chains, and I agreed with a slow nod. I couldn't afford enemies any longer, it was time to look past fear and worst case scenarios. I would need allies for this battle and Nathaniel Sol would be one of them.
Nathaniel's POV
He looked at the two princess in confusion when they entered the room. The human had been drinking for a few hours with Osiris and Rose before they had shown him his new room. The place had been outfitted with a soft carpet for Blaze to sleep on, a large bed and a fireplace. But the bookshelves were the things that caught the human's attention the most in his drunken state. There had to be hundreds of them! And they were all for him?
Celestia and Luna both looked tired, like they had been working for hours. Wasn't this supposed to be their day off or something? As the human looked at the two he realized that Luna was not in bed. Why wasn't she in bed? The man thought she needed rest or something. With a mental shrug the teen took another sip from the bottle in his hands and leaned his head back against the wall. The bed was rather comfortable, so why leave it?
"Nathan, please put down the bottle" Luna said with a small smile, taking the liquor from the human's grasp with her magic.
"Come on I was using that!" He whined in response and groaned in annoyance.
"You'll need to stand for the spell to work human" Celestia told him and Nate looked at her with confusion.
"What spell?" He mumbled and rubbed his eyes, stretching out his body with a yawn.
"We will remove the servant spell from you. My sister had convinced me that it no longer belongs on your body" The Solar princess said with a sigh.
"Think of it as an apology for everything that happened. I put you in a lot of danger, so getting rid of those horrible chains is the least I can do" The midnight Alicorn said and lit up her horn.
For a few seconds Nathaniel had a hard time processing what they had said. When it finally dawned on him that they were releasing him from the magical chains his mouth went dry. Luna had promised him this at the start of their journey but deep down Nathan had never though Celestia would release him. The green eyed teen stood up and walked over to the two, Celestia giving him a nod.
"It requires the two of us to cast the spell. It requires the two of us to remove it" The white alicorn told him as the bandages on his arms were magically loosened.
Nate saw Luna flinch at the sight of the scars. Even when she had seen them earlier it didn't make it easier for her to look at them now. Celestia tried to look stoic as her golden aurora removed the bandages but the human could see her frown at the damage. Was this the same princess that had been ready to throw him in a prison cell a few months ago? Was this the same mare that had blamed him for Luna falling ill? There was guilt written all over her, both magically and physically.
Good. It meant she wouldn't try to hurt him again. Nathaniel almost wanted to laugh at the idea of the Solar princess trying to punish him, as Rose would most likely hit her if she did. His mind was a bit clearer from the alcohol since they had entered, but a few strange or indecent thoughts still flouted around in his mind, breaking his focus. Maybe the young man shouldn't drink a few bottles before bed next time.
"Thank you" He responded as both princesses called upon their magical powers.
The green magical chains once again appeared over the human's arms. They hovered there and itched to constrict his skin, wanting to leave new scars. It made him shiver as he remembered the cold numb pain those things had caused. Nothing else had hurt that badly since he arrived in Equestria, and the thought of something like that being on his body at all times made Nate feel sick.
The two Alicorns closed their eyes as their horns grew brighter and brighter. Nathaniel felt worry as he saw Luna's horn go out a few times but the princess of the night kept on anyway. Even with most of her energy and magic drained she was still ready to do this. She was ready to hold her promise to him. The human felt great happiness in that moment as cracks started to spread over the two dimensional chains.
'Freedom feels nice' The young man thought with a smile before the chains suddenly exploded with a green glow, lighting up the entire room for a few seconds.
When the man could see again he noticed that the chains were truly gone. Luna and Celestia watched the human run his hands over his scarred arm as if to see if the magical presence was truly gone. Once Nathaniel was certain he hugged Luna, resting his knees on the wooden floor. The Alicorn returned the embrace and looked to her sister who started to walk away from the room.
"You are hereby no longer a prisoner of the crown and for what its worth, I'm sorry for what had happened. You can leave whenever you want and the guards of the castle will not trouble you. If you want to remain as a Guardian then all privileges that entails is now yours. But I will not blame you if you run, as we face war" The princess said and left the room, leaving the human with Luna.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
Nathaniel had been getting more sober as the hours passed, sitting on his bed with Luna and drinking tea. The liquid tasted like chocolate this time around. Not a favorite flavor for tea but the young man found it to be alright. The mare next to him had been for the most parts quiet since the tea had been delivered by a maid, just slowly sipping on the cup and contently resting her side against his. Nathan found it to be quiet nice.
"Will you stay? I know you've already answered this question, but I need to know for sure if you can handle what's to come" Luna said and looked at the pendant around Nate's neck.
"I'm not going anywhere. Where would I even run to? They wouldn't just stop if they had Equestria" The teen said and saw how the door to the room opened.
A grey blur hit the man square in the chest and knocked the breath out of his lungs. Yet the man could only laugh as familiar barks sounded out over the room. Blaze was apparently very happy to see him, the wolf licking Nathan's face. The Alicorn next to them giggled at the sight and laid down at the edge of the bed, allowing the human to play a bit with a very happy hound.
Once Nathaniel managed to force the happy wolf off his chest Luna was sleeping. The night was coming to an end and the young man hadn't gotten the sleep Healer Nightingale had ordered him too. But just looking at Luna's smiling face ensured him that it had been worth loosing a few hours of sleep.
Blaze jumped down from the bed and laid down on the fluffy carpet left for him on the floor. The wolf seemed content for the day and soon fell asleep as well. In the end that only left Nathaniel as the only creature awake in the room. The human pondered over grabbing one of the books from the shelves around him but quickly shot down the idea. He needed sleep after the long day. His body needed a few more hours of rest before he could try to fight again.
The idea of having to fight in a war still scared the young man. But seeing Luna's sleeping face made him quell those fears. If Nathaniel had to fight for his friends then he would do so. If he had to break another bone then he would do so. The human might not have wished for this path, but he had picked it nonetheless. After everything that had happened in these few months Nathan was not ready to see Equestria or Equees destroyed in a war. If he could help in any way to stop the destruction then he would do so.
With a sigh the teen blew out the candle providing light in the room and rested his head on the pillow. Sleep started to take him as he felt a warm mass lay down next to him and cuddle into his side. Thinking it was only the wolf seeking warmth the man ran a hand through the fur to the thing next to him. Knowing that tomorrow would be a better day the man fell asleep, never noticing the muzzle next to his head.
Celestia's POV
I felt ready to collapse when I opened one of the letters sent to me by a raven. I had been awake for far longer then my healers had advised, but I needed to read all of these reports. From all the letters I had read we seemed to have gathered ten thousand soldiers ready to fight. Five thousand of these were currently in Canterlot with the other five spread out over the nearby towns. Within the week we would be able to move all of them. But even with all of these brave ponies ready to fight was the enemy ten times larger, and that was without the Dark Kingdom's troops.
How will we survive this? I had always had countermeasures in place for possible conflicts but none of them would work against Guto's overwhelming forces. We needed our navy and Lord Protector back if we were to stand a chance against the invaders. We would need to start conscription of as many ponies as possible as well. Without more soldiers there wasn't any chance for us winning the war.
My thoughts were interrupted by my chamber doors slamming open, a guard hurrying inside. She looked deadly afraid and bowed quickly. All my senses were suddenly on high alert as she tried to form a sentence that made sense. I finally ordered the mare to take a few deep breaths and tell me what was so important. Deep down I think I knew what she was gonna say however.
"They have been seen by the coast! The ships have left soldiers on the beaches! They're here !" She yelled in fear.
Author's Note
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH this took way too long. I am posting this chapter being tired as all hell so there might be something strange about it, maybe not.
I hope you all have a good night's sleep as I'm gonna need it for school. Beyond that I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that your body is prepared for WAR ! XD
I finally finished this chapter and even then I still didn't add some scenes with Guto or the Empress. I will be finally steering this story towards its ending now, even if its a few chapters off. But I hope you all have enjoyed the journey so far.
I also just noticed we have hit over 100 likes. I did not think I'd get this story that popular but hey, I'm not complaining. Thank you all for showing your support so far, it have helped me continue this story even if I'm feeling a bit down
Chapter Twenty: The angel's mission
Nathan woke up to the sounds of rapid knocks on his door. The human was uncertain where he was for a few seconds until he felt two limbs wrap around his torso. Nate realized in a few seconds that he was in bed with Luna sleeping by his side, the day after Celestia had freed him from the servant spell. The Solar princess would kill him. He managed to get out of the princess grip and walked over to the door, opening it slowly.
The teen was met by the sight of the same stallion that had saved him in Everfree castle. The Solar Guardian still wore the same thick golden armor and helmet that Nathan had seen him in during the battle. Around his neck was a similar pendant to Nathaniel's, the only difference being the golden sun instead of a moon. The human saw how the stallion looked into the room, spotting the sleeping princess on the bed. The Guardian then gave him a grin and look of approval. Why did it feel like the maids would have a lot to talk about soon?
"I don't think I ever introduced myself Guardian Sol. I am Guardian Holy Light, senior Guardian and second to only Lord Protector Silver wing" The stallion said with a nod, his blue eyes burrowing themselves in Nathaniel's green ones.
"It's an honor" Nathaniel said with a small bow, the stallion chuckling.
"No need for that. You've proven yourself more than worthy to not bow before your equals" Holy Light said and walked into the room.
Blaze eyed the stallion from his carpet, not getting up or acting hostile but certainly keeping an eye on the Solar Guardian. Nate watched how Guardian Light easily moved around in his armor, even if the damn thing looked heavy enough to slow done a bull. But the pony wore it like it was nothing. The broadsword that had rested on the warrior's back was gone however, probably resting in some armory.
"Thank you for your help the other day Guardian Light. Without your help I wouldn't have been able to save Luna" Nathan told the stallion who nodded.
"I was only doing my duty to a brother in arms and to my country, think nothing of it" He responded and then looked at the slowly awaking Luna.
"Princess Celestia sent for both of you. Every Guardian and military leader available needs to be in the throne room before nine O'clock. I suggest you wash off first however, you reek of dead magic" The gray furred unicorn said with a chuckle and then left the room.
"Magic has a scent?" Nate questioned and smelled his hand, not feeling anything out of the ordinary.
"For those attuned enough? Yes" Luna's voice said from behind the human as she got up.
The Alicorn stretched like a cat and the jumped off the bed, walking towards the door beckoning for Nathaniel to follow her. The human did so after grabbing a shirt to go with his robes, hoping to clean off whatever dirt was in his hair after such a long time without a proper bath. When had he even brushed his teeth last? They didn't even have toothbrushes here. The young man would need to introduce the concept to them all, missing the taste of toothpaste in his mouth.
The princess lead the human to one of the large bathrooms in the castle. Luna ordered hot water to be poured into a bathtub before leaving the human to clean up. Nathaniel was thankful over the chance to wash himself and got undressed, getting into the tub. He sighed in satisfaction as the hot water massaged his sore muscles. The teen allowed himself to wash of whatever was stuck in his long black hair. It immediately felt a lot nicer than before, the long black strands clinging to his wet face.
When Nate felt done he dried himself off using a towel before grabbing a shaving knife. Since his visit to the Griffin kingdom had his beard started to grow back. It wasn't even enough to look good and it was surely filled with lice or something. Not that Nathan had ever felt the need to scratch it, but still. The man held the shaving knife with uncertainty and then grabbed some of the white cream left with it. He rubbed it onto his beard before placing the knife against his throat, Nathan swallowing lightly.
With a nervous hand the young man allowed the blade to follow the rough strands of hair growing on his chin. At first it went fine, the blade cutting off the dark beard. It was when he was running the blade up his throat the teen suddenly cut himself, swearing loudly as he grabbed the towel. The cut was not large but it was enough to cause some bleeding. Once the man got the bleeding to stop he continued, soon looking clean-shaven in the bathroom mirror. Nathaniel looked over himself and thought it didn't look to bad for the first time he used a shaving knife.
His green eyes and black hair had a much more rougher edge to them now since before a few months ago. His hair had reached his shoulders when he was back on earth, but now it spilled down to his elbows. He would be forced to cut off some of it, maybe shave off the sides and tie up the rest into a ponytail. As the human watched himself in the mirror he could look over his scared body, seeing just how much had happened to him.
One of the first things one saw before his many scars was that he had built muscle. Now Nathan still wasn't buff by any standards but he could still see a stark difference between now and a few months prior. The Lunar Guardian had a hard time picking up a sword in the beginning, but now it felt more like an extension of his hand. His stomach had started to build more of a six pack as well, which was amazing considering how often things liked to hurt his abdomen. After the man had looked over his now stronger body Nate eyed the scars littering his frame.
On his left harm he could see the scars left by the devil hare in the woods. It had been the first wound he'd received since appearing in Equestria and it hadn't been the last. The next scar that stood out was the one he had on his stomach since Sombra impaled him on a crystal pike. Nathan could almost still feel the pain, the blood pouring out. The raven haired man only shook his head before looking at a scar on his cheek. The zebra he had met in a fight had left that on his face, a reminder that no magic mark made him a good warrior. He chuckled before looking at the next sets of scars, the ones shaped as chains on his arms.
Nate thought his left arm looked worst because of it. The pattern melted with the scars left by the animal attack. It made his arm look twisted. Not only because of the Servant Spell but because it had been Luna, or at least a evil part of her, that had done it to him. The thought of the princess sleeping next to him the night before popped up in the teens head, more apologizing? It had been nice when she had cuddled into his side though, the thought almost making him blush. He needed to focus.
The green eyed man took another towel and wrapped it around his waist, looking at the robes on the floor. They weren't that dirty, but he still would rather be dressed in armor for the meeting. Nathaniel opened a crack in the door and noticed a maid looking at him expectantly. Did he just order her to get him his stuff? That didn't really sit right with Nathaniel. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Could you please get me my armor? I want to be dressed properly for the military meeting that takes place in like ten minutes" He said with a sheepish grin and she nodded.
"I am to help you with all your requests Lord Sol. Princess Luna assigned me to you months ago, but as you were out traveling we never met. I am Dust Kicker" She smiled.
The mare was dressed in a normal maid. Her mane was a light gray with her coat a pure white. Dust's eyes held the same gray colour as her mane and tail. Her cutie mark was of a cloud of dust. So she was really good at cleaning? Or maybe she was just good at doing shores. The mare's mane was braided and hung down her left shoulder, allowing the man to see her freckles snout more clearly. She reminded him a bit off a stereotypical German woman from earth. Dust Kicker lacked the accent though.
"I am Nathaniel Lucas Sol, though I assume you already know that" The man smiled and she nodded.
"I have read through most letters the princess sent on you. She wanted me to help you feel at home in the castle, so I had many bookshelves installed in your room and sent an order to the Royal Academy of Musicians for a gift" The mare told Nathaniel who looked confused.
"Royal Academy of Musicians?" He questioned and she giggled.
"It'll be a surprise. Anyway I'll go and get you something suited for a meeting like that. They will not be mad if you're late and if they are Luna have given me permission to throttle them" She laughed and walked off.
It only took the maid around five minutes to return with clothes for the human. Nathaniel was confused at first when he spotted that the mare had not brought him his armor as requested. It was soon revealed that Dust had brought him a Dress uniform like the ones the military back on earth had used. The dark blue colour mixed with black tint marked him as a Lunar Guardian. Or maybe the dozen small moons on the uniform's collar made it more obvious who he served.
Dust Kicker allowed Nathaniel some privacy to get changed. The man got into the white shirt that went under the uniform jacket and got dressed in a pair of underwear. As he got into his new clothes was a sandwich with some kind of meat on it given to him through the crack in the door. The human happily took his breakfast and chewed on it as he got into the surprisingly comfortable plants. After that he got dressed in a pair of black socks and a pair of black boots. To complete the outfit the man put the dark blue triangle shaped hat on his head. The final touch was to put on the Guardian pendant and walk out to greet the maid.
"So how do I look?" Nathaniel asked Dust Kicker with a smile before noticing she looked a bit sick.
"Sorry. The smell of cooked meat just didn't sit well with me" She said with a shuddered and the man couldn't help but to chuckle.
"But I think the Royal Tailor did her job, you look good. She got one look of your previous clothes and body, as that was all she needed. After that she got your measurements from Luna and suddenly she had ideas for a whole wardrobe" His personal maid giggled and lead him down the hall.
"I need to thank her later for her help then" The man said and Dust nodded.
"Jasmine would love to meet you in person" The mare said until they suddenly stopped in front of a pair of green doors.
Two guards in golden armor eyed them before returning to stare at the wall in front of them. The doors was only a few turns away from the bathroom and another few away from his room. Maybe this castle would be less of a maze? It would make sense that this building would be more open to visitors. So maybe the human would be able to find his way out to the city before the end of the month. If there was a city left by then.
"This is the war room Lord Sol. This is the gathering place for the military leaders of Equestria during a crisis" The maid told him before ushering him towards the doors.
"Thanks for your help" The man said and she nodded, walking off with a smile.
Nathaniel took a deep breath before opening the two doors, being met by the sound of arguing voices. Nate could see a large round table surrounded by ponies on chairs. Celestia and Luna sat straight in front of him, Luna now dressed in military clothes resembling his own. A silver crown sat upon her head with her black scythe resting on the table. He still remembered being hit in the head with that thing. Celestia was dressed in a smiliar shirt as Luna, the white garment matching her fur. A golden crown rested upon the princess head as she held up a map with her magic.
The others wound the table were Rose and Osiris, his two fellow Lunar Guardians seeing him and giving him a sign to get over to them. The others in the room consisted of Holy Light and two other Solar Guardians, a few mares and stallions dressed in noble attire, Crystal Sword and Silver Page, a strange bug looking pony and finally an angry looking mare dressed in military uniform like himself with several medals attached to her shirt.
"Ah Guardian Sol. So the human greets us with his presence" One of the unknown Solar Guardians, a mare, said dryly.
"The kid is ten minutes late, cut him some slack" Osiris said from across the table and the female Solar Guardian huffed.
Nathan walked up to the ponies surrounding the table and sat down on the empty chair. Luna smiled at him before turning to face the table once more, the alicorn looking very serious. Celestia held the same expression on her face, placing the map on the table for all to see. The Solar princess took out metal pieces resembling ships and troops, putting them on the map. The entire Solar Sea was littered with hostile ships, a few towers and fortresses popping up here and there among them.
"Our current army is five thousand strong with yet another five thousand bound to arrive within the week. The enemy numbers confirmed on our coast varies between thirty-thousand and fifty-thousand. The rest of the griffin army is either at sea or securing the Dragonlands" The white alicorn said grimly and a low murmur came from the nobles.
"If we are to win this war we need to take them by surprise. Me and my sister have already prepared our soldiers to march against the enemy, with the hopes that raids and ambushes will help us weaken their numbers" Luna then said, moving a few pieces into the Everfree.
"With all due respect princess, not even the best scouts in the world could help us win this war. It seems like a far better deal to surrender and spare the lives of our people" One of the nobles said and Rose mumbled something under her breath.
"Guto will not accept any letter sent to him. He's made it clear that there is no way to avoid this war. Even if we wanted to we cannot surrender and expect mercy" Celestia said solemnly.
"Then we will use our combat mages. Magic is an advantage the griffins lack, is the reason they have always despised our nation" The mare dressed in a uniform said with a growl.
"While the mages will give us an edge they can not make up for the fact that we're outnumbered. We need more soldiers but with our navy still traveling home we simply don't have them" The rainbow maned alicorn responded with a sigh.
"With my aunt aiding King Guto we face even more soldiers from the south. We might be facing sixty-thousand soldiers, most of them being able to fly" Crystal Sword said and added a couple of black pieces to the map resembling a pony with demon horns.
"She is serving him because he has her son, correct? Simply save the child and the Empress will turn on the griffins" Holy Light said and Luna shook her head.
"We do not have the time or resources to send any soldiers over the sea. Even if they flew it would still take them at least two days to get there, and that is if they are aided by spells" The princess of the night explained and the Solar Guardian nodded grimly in return.
"So we simply need to kill as many as possible? While many of the soldiers I've served with are good with a blade they can't stand against such a force and win. I saw how the griffins had experimented with the corruption in the Dark Kingdom's capital. Imagine what if they used something like that on the battlefield? They have the numbers to keep us occupied as they spread the disease through the ranks" Osiris growled.
Nate watched them all discuss with a growing terror in his heart. There didn't seem to be any ways out of this mess. With the Lord Protector lost at sea and with the Crystal Empire no longer guarding the north were they cut off from any information coming from the north or the south. The only reason they even knew that the griffins were here was because a few guards in the harbor towns and coastal cities had spotted them. With the spy network the Changeling kingdom provided gone were they all blind in most other nations.
After more discussions revolving around how they should deploy their troops and how many ponies could be conscripted was the subject of information brought up. The bug pony in the room rose when it was mentioned and nodded at the two princesses. He seemed to be smaller than the average pony and his legs had several holes in them. Nathaniel then remembered the fact that the creature was a changeling, one of the few survivors from their destroyed nation.
"I am allowed to speak?" The changeling said with an buzzing echo in his voice, Celestia giving him a nod.
"Speak up if you have anything to say bug" The female Solar Guardian said.
"Me and my brethren have been cared for since we lost our great mother. The compassion showed will be returned, so those of us that can fight will join your efforts to create chaos in the enemy ranks" He said firmly and Luna bowed her head lightly.
"Thank you Echo. We will need you to sneak into the enemy encampments and poison their food among other things. We will not be lose this war, for the sake of our people" Celestia said with a slight bow of her head.
"There is the matter of sending a diplomat to Minotaurs and yaks. They are well versed in war and have some of the best fighters in the world. If we can secure an alliance quickly then we might gain the numbers we need to match the opposing forces" Rose said and Luna placed a marker on the two kingdoms mentioned.
"I'll go. We will need help if we want to survive" The human said but to his surprise Luna shook her head.
"I'm sorry Guardian Sol, but we cannot allow a powerful mage and superior officer like yourself to run off. We will need magic to battle the griffins, so you are not to travel north" Celestia said and the Lunar Princess sighed.
"We will send Peace Treaty and a few loyal guards to protect her. But the journey will take a week at the very least, two or three if the weather is rough. So even if they heed our call we cannot count on the northern nations help" The general said, her gruff voice and stern look making the human quiet down any protests.
"We need a plan if we are to hold against the griffins. With our low numbers we cannot face them openly, they would crush us with numbers alone. Nor can we leave the southern border unprotected, not with the Empress aiding Guto" Holy Light said.
Nathan watched as they devised an attack plan. So far it seemed the griffins were spread put over the coast, meaning that they wouldn't face the full force head on. So ambushes and focusing on smaller cells of the enemy army seemed to be a sound tactic. But it would all be pointless if the griffins just deiced to gather all their soldiers and head straight for Canterlot. The Equestrian army would be forced to hold them back for as long as possible until help from the north arrived, if it arrived..
"Kid, no one will blame you if run. Or Celestia probably would, but Luna would honor that choice. The Yaks up north would probably take you in if they saw your magic hammer" Osiris whispered to him as the discussion continued.
"I'm not leaving you all to die. Even if I run the griffins will probably come there too. So staying here and doing something is better. And with all of you I'm less likely to die at the talons of a griffin king" The young man whispered back and Osiris chuckled.
"Less likely to die? It seems spending time with us have made you mad" The golden coated stallion grinned and the man chuckled quietly.
"We are the ones who introduced him to booze, of course we would be the ones to drive him mad" The sanguine said quietly as well, the loud discussions enough to mask their conversation.
"Rather mad surrounded by friends than sane and all alone" Nathaniel smiled and he spotted Luna in the corner of his eye, the mare giving him a small smile.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
The meeting took several hours. Celestia went over how to position combat mages, how one could attack troops moving through the forest and what to do if the griffins captured Equestrian Soldiers. All of the information was a bit overwhelming for the eighteen year-old who tried his best to understand what was told. It came to a point where Nathaniel just started to think about other things, like where he could get a bow. But also more darker thoughts filled his mind, many revolving around the fact that he'd be forced to kill.
Nathan had hurt other sentient creatures in the past few weeks, he'd even felt the urge to kill Sombra. The human had also killed animals since coming to Eques. But it wasn't the same thing to him. Killing a deer to get some meat for the winter or a wolf to survive was ok in his mind. But to take his sword and end another thinking being's life? It felt wrong, it felt strange. Was it wrong of him to think like that? The griffins would happily kill them all if they got the chance. So why couldn't he see them like the wolves?
Nathaniel's thoughts were interrupted as Celestia stood up, looking over at him and his fellow Guardians. Luna did the same and he felt nervous. They seemed to have come to a decision. Osiris stood up and so did Rose while the others remained seated. Maybe it would be a good idea to focus on the important military meeting instead of his inner demons.
"Guardian Sol, Thorn and Osiris. You are to depart with five hundred of our soldiers into the Everfree. There you will slow down the enemy by using ambushes and any other means to strike down our foe. We expect them to be many, but we cannot send more soldiers with you. We need all the ponies we can get to aid Fillydelphia and Baltimare. They have yet to be captured thanks to the combat mages stationed there, but magical shields will not last long against assaults like these" Celestia told them and the two ponies to Nate's right saluted.
"What about Luna? Aren't we meant to protect her?" The human asked the white alicorn who sighed.
"You are meant to guard my sister, yes. But we need military leaders among the soldiers that we can be certain get the job done" She responded and then the other ponies in the room started to leave.
Everyone seemed to have been given their orders. Holy Light was to depart with another three hundred soldiers to the southern border and slow down the Shadow Ponies not already with the griffins. His two squad mates were to join Celestia and Luna as they retook the coastal towns and cities. The general, who was to be called General Diamond, would go with the main force like the princesses. The nobles were kind enough to give their private guards and soldiers to the already five hundred strong force given to the Lunar Guardians. The total amount of soldiers in control by them was now around six hundred.
Nathaniel's thoughts were swirling as they left the room. He had no real combat experience, had never lead soldiers before and was still learning how to even cast simple combat magic. The young man felt unprepared for all of this. He felt like a great weight was pushing onto his chest and his breathing got quicker. Rose gave him a concerned look while Osiris spoke with Celestia regarding their situation.
When the man felt ready to collapse he felt a warm furry head nuzzle his chin. Luna gave him a smile and Nathaniel could feel himself calming down. The princess came to his rescue once more. How many times had she shown kindness to him? It felt like Nathan still owed her for everything she had done for him. Maybe the whole thing with knocking him unconscious and putting him in a cage still stung but other than that had the Lunar princess shown compassion.
"You will be fine Nathaniel. Rose and Osiris will not leave your side, neither will I for that matter. After everything that have happened I am certain that you'll do great in battle and that you will not fail anypony. Trust your friends and gut on this one, as I don't think there is any better council in war" Luna said and the human nodded, his muscles relaxing.
"Thank you Luna" The teen mumbled and was given another nuzzle from the princess.
"Go and sleep more before you depart. You will need to be rested for the journey though the Everfree" The princess said before noticing Celestia starring at them.
With another smile the princess walked over to join her sister and the two were gone with a flash of light. They had used magic to teleport away to wherever they were needed. With a small sigh Nathan turned to his friends, Osiris grinning at him with Rose handing him a bag of bits, muttering swears under her breath. He wonder what that was all about?
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
Nathan looked at the small house standing among the many mansions in the Noble District. The human found it to stick out like a sore thumb among the other lavish buildings that stood to its left and right it on the white street. Osiris had asked him to tag along as the scout needed something from his home, and this was his house? The pony seemed to notice Nathaniel's confused expression and smiled.
"Behold! The most cheap expensive house in Equestria!" The stallion said melodramatically and then grinned.
Some nobles sneered at the stallion as he raised his voice but Osiris simply ignored them. The pony opened the small gate leading into a garden in front of the house. It wasn't that big, having a few bushes of flowers and a statue of a pony surrounded by what looked like waves of sand. The path through the garden was laid with gray gravel and looked well kept. Had Osiris hired a gardener?
"I like it. Maybe not the place where I'd imagine you would live but it's quite peaceful" Nate said with a smile as Osiris walked up to the door.
"I didn't choose it. Celestia gave it to me after I became a scout" The stallion mused as he lead the human inside.
The interior was simple enough. It was a one story house with a hall that lead into the living room with other doors to the left and right leading to the bathroom and kitchen. The living room was pretty large, probably the most spacious room in the entire building. It at least ten meters wide and ten meters long, allowing Osiris to move in a desk to work at and some other questionable items. Nathan was confused by a bookshelf standing by itself on one of the walls, the thing feeling out of place on the wide wall. Only one book was on it, one with a golden spine holding swirly patterns.
"I came here to grab some of my more useful weapons. I'm going to need more than just two daggers if we're going to be hunting griffins in the woods" Osiris said and walked up to the bookshelf, pulling on the book.
Nathan had suspected it was a lever, and it turned out his suspicions were correct. The bookshelf swung open like a door to reveal a small dark room. The earth pony simply grabbed a few matches and lit a candle in the room, showing the human all that was inside. The three walls in front and to the sides of Osiris were littered with weapons. Everything from swords to shields hung from neatly placed hooks. The stallion grabbed a spear from the wall before then grabbing a few knives and a short sword.
There was a table in front of the scout as well. On it laid an envelope along with a something wrapped in a blanket. Osiris starred at the two objects before uncovering one of them, revealing a smooth staff made out of silver with a purple crystal mounted to it on one end. The Lunar Guardian touched it longingly before wrapping it up again, putting the envelope in his saddlebags.
"I just needed this. We will depart tomorrow morning, so get some sleep kid. Also, try to keep the wolf in check, I'm afraid he'll try to eat our changeling spies" Osiris joked and moved out of the small room, pulling on the book again to close the bookshelf behind him.
"What is in the envelope?" The human asked the stallion as he made his way out from the house.
"It's.. It's nothing important. It'll be back in that room soon enough, I just feel better if I bring it with me" He said and lead Nathaniel out from the house and through the garden.
Why had Osiris wanted Nathan to tag along? The human hadn't picked anything from the weapon storage and Osiris hadn't even offered anything to him. The only reason Nate could come up with for why he was there was so Osiris could show him the hidden room. But why? It was not like Nathaniel would needed more weapons, he already had his sword and war-hammer. Sure he wanted a bow as well but he had already requested one from Dust Kicker, so he'd be prepared soon. Nathaniel wondered if he should ask Osiris but the stallion looked lost in thought, so he decided to just follow his friend, feeling very confused.
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When Nathaniel woke up the next day had his armor been returned. The thing had been upgraded since he had last seen it. The armor hadn't been much more than leather scraps at first, now it seemed to be made out of a much more sturdier material with chainmail attached to certain parts of the armor's frame. It was mostly the shirt that held the aforementioned chainmail but some parts of the pants that had come with the armor held the same material. When the man put it on the armor felt light. Even with the chainmail it was easy to carry and didn't slow him down much.
The colour scheme matched that all his clothes. Dark blue and black mixed in to mimic the night sky. Luna's cutie mark was carved into the shoulders of the armor and on his back was his own rune carved into the leather like material. Nathan attached the war-hammer to a special strap on his back and his sword to his waist. Finally he got dressed in a black cloak that was given to him as well. The human looked in the mirror and was baffled at first, seeing someone that looked more like a warrior than a young man starring back at him.
"Lord Sol. It's ready" Dust's voice said through the door.
The man opened the door to reveal his personal maid carrying a black bow on her back with a cylindrical quiver of arrows. The bow had small stars and constellations carved into its wooden form while the bowstring glowed a soft dark blue. The man picked it up and examined the weapon, his eyes lingering on the bowstring. It never stopped glowing, radiating with magic.
"Princess Luna made that string from her own mane Nathaniel. It will not break easily" Dust informed him with a smile and Nate nodded, slowly as he looked over the bow in awe.
The human attached the quiver to waist as well, running his fingers of the glowing bowstring. It hummed at his touch, like it enjoyed his presence. So now he was ready for battle, a fight that could end with his own death. The teen contemplated those thoughts for a few seconds. He, Blaze, Rose or Osiris could die in the weeks to come. All it would take would be one stray arrow, one sudden slash of a blade. Was he ready for this?
Nathaniel remembered Luna's calming words and smiled. She was placing her trust in him, so he had to do this. Nathan wouldn't run away, not when his friends would need him the most. With a deep calming breath he focused his eyes on the grimoire Star Swirl had given him. The spell book had only taught him one spell that could be used in combat, Ignis Globe . The spell hadn't been one that came naturally for the mage, his mana almost completely drained the first time he had tried. The ball of fire had been unstable and hard to control, meaning that the young man had filled put to much power into it.
Star Swirl had advised him to keep practicing and remember the paragraph about the spell. So far the human hadn't gotten many quiet moments to practice it, event after event having slowed down his learning. Now Star Swirl wouldn't be around to tutor him either, the mage apparently helping the army's mages with training. The old stallion was gonna join the war effort as well, leading his own squads of mages to the coast in an attempt to undermine the griffins.
With everyone around him going away to fight it wouldn't be right if the man suddenly hid under a rock. Was Nate ready to kill? He didn't know. The teen didn't like the idea and even if he was calmer the human could still feel anxiety over the possibility. But that didn't matter much anymore, his fears had to be ignored, like all their fears had to be ignored. Rose probably felt fear for the incoming battle, as did Osiris. Hell, even the hound was probably afraid.
Blaze running across the room chasing a screaming Dust Kicker dashed whatever hopes the green eyed teen held about the wolf being afraid. The damn beast just didn't give a shit, which was partially why Nathaniel loved Blaze's company so much. The man grinned and grabbed the wolf as he ran past, scratching his head. The maid was relieved over the wolf no longer chasing her, putting down a plate that had been on her back. Nathan's companion threw himself over the meat brought to him and happily chewed it down, the human chuckling at the sight.
After putting the grimoire at his hip and Nathaniel left the room with Blaze following him. The two of them said goodbye to Dusk Kicker who promised to keep Nathan's room clean while he was away. The spring birds had come to Canterlot and allowed the human to listen to their song through some of the open windows. The bird song and light of day helped lift the man's spirits and Nathan soon walked out to the castle courtyard and spotted Osiris and Rose.
"You ready kid?" The stallion asked the teen as he approached them.
"Yeah, I am" Nate responded and looked over his two friends.
Rose and Osiris wore matching armor sets. They reminded him of his own armor with the difference being that Rose had pockets for knives everywhere on her sides while Osiris held two daggers strapped to his saddlebags. A cart next to them was filled with stuff they would need like food and water, a few guards packing it. Soon they would leave for Everfree and prepare their battle-plans.
"Then let's net waste any time. We are leading the troops into the Everfree and then splitting them up into smaller groups. Some will focus on building traps, some will focus on scouting while others will wait behind the trees to strike" The male Lunar Guardian told him and Nathaniel nodded.
"The journey to the forest edge will take a few hours. Then we're spending a few days on driving out whatever griffins had dared to go inside" The sanguine mare stated as they started walking down the streets.
The ponies that lived in Canterlot eyed them as they walked, awe and hope in their eyes. He wondered if they saw that because of the two ponies in front of him or not. But even if their adoration was only aimed for Rose and Osiris could the man still smile at the sight, knowing so many held hope over their success. A few children even tried to hand them money to which Rose refused, telling them that she didn't need the money.
When they reached the gates were a large force of soldiers waiting for them. All of them looked upon the ones that would lead them with skepticism. The human had never lead soldiers before, he had barely been a soldier himself. But it Nate had to focus, he had to save Luna and his friends. If that meant stumbling blind in darkness then he would do so. With a determined look the human walked into the mass of ponies and headed towards the direction of the Everfree, beginning their trek down the mountain. They were marching for war, failure was not an option.
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Empress Darkest Dream's POV
I looked over my empire with a heavy heart. I didn't see the smiling subjects and thriving market of the past anymore. I could only watch over a grey shell of its former glory. The citizens didn't dare to go out with the griffins guarding the streets. Nor did anypony dare to sell anything without customers or with the possibility of the griffin forces crushing their wares. The occupation made me feel sick, like I had attracted the Corruption disease. I had allowed them into Garthram, I had accepted Guto's deal, I had failed to protect my son and I had ordered the court mages to research the Corruption disease.
Had I fallen so low? What sort of leader was I when I sacrificed my people the same second my son was taken. I loved him dearly, the small colt always having brightened up my day at court. But was my son's life worth the whole of my nation's people? Mother or Empress, what was the right thing to be in times like these? My heart screamed at me to act like a mother and not do anything that would anger that griffin king. But my head told me to let go and kill the griffins in my city while I still had the chance.
I lowered my head and walked back to my throne, looking at the two guards on each side of it. Did they have an opinion about my plight? Did they have a solution to all of this? I just wanted to hear his happy laughter again, I just wanted to see him grow up into a respectable young stallion and I wanted to tell him how sorry I was to ever allow him being taken. My precious child in the claws of a mad griffon, scared and alone. Had I acted rationally when I agreed to Guto's plan? No, I had acted selfish and now my nation was paying for it.
I looked up at the sky and removed the silver crown from my head, my eyes reflecting the dark clouds above us. I hadn't just betrayed my people, I had betrayed the world as well. I was willing to take whatever punishment the world threw my way for my crimes, as long as my son would not be hurt. I was roused out of my thoughts as an envelope was given to me by a servant, Guto's handwriting on the back addressing it to me. It had an odd shape and the servant quickly left the throne room.
I felt my mouth dry up as I opened the envelope and pulled out a letter with a few bloodstains on it. I felt my heartbeat quicken as I pulled out the other thing in the envelope, the thing that had caused the odd shape. It was the top of my son's ear. The piece of flesh was covered in dried blood and I felt breathing getting strained, tears threatening to pour from my eyes. I felt like the world was spinning and that the ground had caved in under me. I slowly turned my head to the letter, the room around me so quiet.
"Next time I will take a leg. Do not fail me again"
I dropped the letter and took a weak step forward, I could feel myself hyperventilating but i couldn't hear it. I stumbled a few steps before screaming in rage and agony, my eyes growing red as I slammed my hooves into the stone floor. The black marble cracked under my magical strength but I wasn't enough. I slammed front leg into a pillar and sending it flying across the room. The guards in the room tried to escape my wrath but wad quickly wrapped in dark tendrils. I screamed and screamed, destroying the throne room and shattering my crown.
When I finally stopped I just felt hollow, like my soul had been stolen by a Husk. I let go of my magic and the guards I had been strangling in my outrage felt to the floor gasping for air, looking at me in fear. I didn't care if they feared me, I didn't care if they died or lived. I would kill every last pony in Equestria if it meant Guto would return my baby. My sweet innocent son. I felt such a deep sorrow among the void within me. Was this what my mother had wanted for me? What the first Empress had wanted for our nation?
It didn't matter anymore. If he lived I would die happy. If he died.. Then I would burn the world until I had made sure that Guto would not survive the flames. I couldn't accept his death. I couldn't accept that his happy smile could be wiped off this world. I just had to obey the mad king. I just had to kill all of the Equestrian army. I would not fail with my mission to save my son, no matter what.
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King Guto's POV
I looked at the mare resting next to me. Her brown mane and light brown coat matched the colour of the blanket covering her body. Autumn slept peacefully even with the all the voices coming from outside the palace, her youth in the pony cities having made her used to such disturbances. I let my talon run through her mane and I smiled, getting out of the bed and getting dressed in my armor.
Tyr's mother had been happy when I invited her to the castle and gave her dinner. As she was not a griffin she would never be allowed to call herself a queen of Griffonia. But she was still my most treasured lover and concubine, meaning that Autumn still had polotical power in my court. I tried to keep her away from such trivial matters, the mare not having the heart for politics. I liked that about her however, she was very much like Tyr. My half-breed son might not be the prince the priests had wanted, but the boy had shown promise with a blade and with diplomacy. I had grown fond of him during the years, the once young hippogriff now a fully grown fighter. I just wished he could stomach the necessity of war.
I left Autumn to sleep in the royal chambers, the dinner and night of passion a gift. I would leave my kingdom for a long time, so she would need something from me. My thoughts on my family was muddled as I felt the familiar power of the Idol rushing through me. I happily took the power and headed down the halls of my castle, my eyes fixated at a door with two guards protecting it.
I entered the room and spotted the griffon laying on the ground, spitting blood at my talons. So there was still fight in the rebel? Good, I needed something to blow of steam on. I picked him up by his throat, the old griffon clawed at my face as I squeezed my right talon around his neck, his raspy attempts at catching his breath made me chuckle. Crazy old bird, always struggling against the world.
I let him go and he dropped onto the cold stone floor, gasping for breath and trying to crawl away. I simply grabbed a knife from my side and slammed it down onto one of his broken wings, making him scream in agony. I snarled at the pathetic creature below me and flipped him around, pinning him against the knife handle and his own wing.
"Where are the rest of your friends old fool? You have tried to burn military garrisons and sabotage weapon facilities. The only reason you're alive is because I need to know where your friends are hiding" I told him and he spat in my face.
"I will never betray the true people of this nation you mad chicken" The old griffon laughed, my eyes starting to glow yellow.
I tried to crack his mind, like I had done to the changeling princess. But it did not work, much to my surprise. Any attempt to forcefully enter his mind resulted in me bring thrown out. I growled as neither torture or the Idol could force the answers from his beak. We didn't even know his name, the griffon not known to any guards or soldier. He and his friends had just showed up one day and spewed their nonsense about peace and "the truth behind this war". They had put up posters against my rule and the war, trying to sabotage what I had built for years.
But if it meant that he was had no use for me now then I might as well throw him in a cell. His companions might try to free him, which would lead to them running into my skilled guard. Common griffins with no military training wouldn't stand a chance against my personally trained soldiers. I growled as he laughed in my face and I pulled the knife out from his wing, leaving the old griffon behind in the room.
"Throw him in a cell, makes sure he lives. I want his companions captured before the end of this month" I ordered the guards at the door who saluted.
I left the room in a more foul mood then when I started this morning, but I couldn't afford doubt to be spread among the people. Not now. Before bribes and threats were enough to silence any competition, but these traitors had an iron will. They didn't give up any information and laughed as you tortured them. They were truly mad. I looked out a window at the sky as I thought about the issues rising at home. I could not stay and take care of the problem, I simply lacked the time. I would take the next ship to Equestria and lead my soldiers to victory.
The thought about the coming battles almost made me giddy, the Idol humming approvingly of my latest actions. It wasn't even here but I could still hear its sweet whispers. I had loved it when I hurt the Empress child, the foal having cried and begged me to stop. I thought about doing so during the act, but the Idol convinced me to continue. In the end the Empress would get the message and understand that I was not playing around anymore.
War had finally come to our world and I would be the one to lead it. This war would lead us all into a new age, an age where we griffins once again held the power in this world. It would be glorious, all my sacrifices finally paying off. I could still see my father on his deathbed, making me swear to achieve his dream. I hoped deep down that father was watching me along with the gods, so that he know that I had succeeded. I was finally changing destiny and the world would forever know my name.
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Author's Note
And there we go, chapter 20! This took a while and it didn't kickstart the war, sorry! I promise to start the battles in the next chapter, now when all pawns are in place and I have finally reached 150k words! And over 110 likes! Thanks for all support on the story so far, you guys are the best!
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Chapter Twenty-one: The angel's first battle
Nathaniel sat hunched down and looked over the small campfire. The rain hitting his face made the human sigh, the storm having been going on for two days. The rain had made fires almost impossible at first, the human finally giving up with rolling a stick back and forwards and just using Pusilli Ignis . The small flame the spoken spell created was not large enough to light a log on fire, so the man grabbed some dry birch bark and put it below the wet wood. After many attempts the fire finally started to spread underneath the wood and Nate could now cook his meal.
The Lunar Guardian had followed Rose and Osiris into the woods along with the six-hundred soldiers preparing himself for war. Yet when they had started to get deeper into the Everfree after just two days of walking had the Sanguine ordered them all to stop. Their base of operations would be a few miles away from Everfree castle, or what was left of it anyway. The soldiers had all made their own tents and larger campfires around the clearings. Stew and other such things were being served to them while the Guardian was cooking his own meal further away from the soldiers.
The man had set up his own tent and campfire the same second they all got there. The soldiers had noticed how easily the human had made sure that no beasts had their nests near. They had also noticed the wolf always following him running around like crazy. Apparently the wild animal liked the forest more than a castle, who knew. The stallions and mares clad in brown and dark armor still found the hound's display of happiness amusing however, the warriors warming up to Blaze's presence.
Nathan had gone hunting the same second Rose and Osiris was sure that they had all they needed. The man had left the sword, grimoire, war-hammer and cloak behind. Osiris had stopped him before he headed out, giving Nathaniel a sturdy looking knife with a handle made from some kind of animal horn. The scout wanted him well prepared and therefore gave the human a knife that could cut through most animal hides. The young man was touched by the gesture and thanked the stallion before heading out into the woods.
For hours Nathaniel just followed trails left by wild animals. Blaze tagged along and helped his owner by barking whenever he found a fresh animal track. The wolf happily walked by the human's side as Nate let an arrow rest on the glowing bowstring. The bow hummed with magic when he touched it, the black haired man recognizing Luna's magic signature. The first prey he and Blaze came across during their hunt was a rabbit, a small brown thing sniffing the ground a few meters away from them.
The teen had slowly pulled the bowstring back, felt the humming of the bow, felt how his breath grew calm and then he released the arrow at its intended target. The projectile made from white wood hit the ground next to the rabbit and the small creature fled into a bush before Blaze could give chase. The wolf gave Nathan an unimpressed look at the failed shot and the young man rolled his eyes.
"I haven't used one of these in a few months ok?" Nathaniel said with a groan and the wolf snickered at him.
The pair kept stalking the woods until they came across another rabbit. This one was much larger and seemed to be more cautious of its surroundings. This time when Nate pulled back the bowstring he made sure to focus on the rabbit a bit more, allowing himself to feel calm for a few seconds. When Nathaniel felt like he was ready the man allowed the arrow to sail through the air, now noticing a soft blue glowing trail following it. The arrow buried itself into the rabbit's neck before it could react, killing it quickly.
With their first prey secured the man went to work with the knife gifted to him by Osiris. It was peaceful doing some hunting again, allowing him to pretend that he still lived alone with Blaze, that he wasn't in a war. Nathan's thoughts drifted to his friends and shook his head. It didn't matter if a life alone in the woods had been more peaceful. Nathaniel had duties now, duties he would not fail. The man squeezed the Moon Pendant around his neck with his clean hand just to remind himself why he was back in the Everfree. He was no longer a kid happy to avoid others, he was a soldier now.
When the rabbit had been skinned properly Nathaniel tossed what parts of the meat he couldn't use to Blaze, the wolf happily catching the pieces mid air. With a few more hours of work the human manged to bring back a few rodents and a few rabbits. With the meat could he and Rose have dinner with the rest of the soldiers. Not that the man found the warriors' company pleasant. They kept reminding him of the coming fights.
So now the man just sat by his campfire after returning from his hunt, the sun going down and the moon on the way up. The rabbits tasted good and Rose happily sat down to have some of the meat with the human, Osiris later joining them with liquor and cards. The human saw the bottle of Liquid Courage and groaned, much to the amusement of his two friends.
"What is it kid? I thought you loved this stuff?" Osiris grinned and handed Rose a glass which she downed in a matter of seconds.
"As much as I like it, I don't like the headache it brings the morning after" The man deadpanned and the Sanguine mare next to him giggled.
"That haven't stopped you before have it?" Rose said teasingly as Nathan was handed a small glass of the liquor.
With a roll of his eyes the man downed the glass and coughed violently. The same burning sensation as always ran through his lungs and throat, his mind already growing a bit hazy. The strong alcohol was an easy choice to pick if you wanted to get drunk with your friends. Nathaniel didn't mind the idea either, still happy to spend time with the two ponies responsible for his continued survival.
The group of four, if you counted the wolf trying to steal Osiris liquor, played a few games of cards and told each other funny stories. The mood in the camp was oddly happy for such a bleak situation as the one they found themselves in, but no one would want to complain about such a thing. The human happily helped finish two bottles of Liquid Courage before Rose and Osiris stumbled off, leaving the human to sleep. With the image of his laughing and smiling friends on his mind the teen fell asleep easily.
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The storm had passed during the dark hours of the night. The chilly morning air made the inhabitants of the army camp shiver and wrap their cloaks around them. Nathan was doing his best to keep the his fire alive, not finding a lot of dry firewood. The rain had been collected in the large green leaves on the trees above as well, often ending up falling down on his head.
Rose and Osiris had been sending out scouts all over the forest to ensure themselves that no griffins had made it yet. The two Lunar Guardian had planned to build traps all over the woods, hoping that they would slow down the griffin ground troops. The sanguine mare had mentioned pits filled with sharp sticks, nets filled with rocks being released over their enemies heads and using the local wildlife against them. The plan sounded fine considering how they were outnumbered at least six to one against the full griffin force. If they could win the battles here then Luna and Celestia could focus on taking back the coastal cities.
Nathaniel had yet to join his friends in the large tent placed in the middle of the camp. He had seen commanders and captains go to and leave it during the two hours he had been awake, all of them looking at him disdain. It seemed to be easy for the ponies with more military experience to look down on the human, seeing how he was given the Guardian position and not them. Nate just ignored them. They could stare all they wanted, he wasn't here for them.
Nathan couldn't hide away forever however, Osiris coming to fetch him. The stallion seemed to act more stoic than usual, keeping up a good appearance for the troops. The teen just found it funny how quickly the scout went from drinking and playing cards to a emotionless military leader. The man followed Osiris to the commanders tent, seeing Rose overlooking a map over the Everfree. Funnily enough was Nathan's old campsite marked on it.
"Good, we're gonna need you to listen to all of this" The mare said and grabbed a knife laying next to the map.
The map was resting on a brown table that had all kinds of steel figures scattered all over it. The tent itself was dark green in colour, being larger than most boardrooms Nate's father had showed him. The ponies in the tent were all of high rank, being assigned to different parts of Everfree to guard. With their limited numbers it was safer to simply build traps and ambush the enemy. But to do that would they different groups spread over over the forest need someone to lead their group, hence why there was so many commanders and captains around.
"You will go with Osiris to weed out the enemies scouts. They are with no doubts already hurrying across the woods in an attempt to find us and share that information with their leaders" The bat-pony said and stabbed the knife into a red circle drawn around the eastern parts of the forest, the closest part to the coast.
"Can't their soldiers just fly over the woods? It feels like having a large camp in the middle of it is a bad idea" The human commented and Rose shook her head.
"Their armor is very heavy. While it protects them well, it weighs them down as they're flying. If Guto's troops just flew the whole way to Canterlot would they be so exhausted that they couldn't fight" The mare informed the man who nodded.
"We'll be sending those pigeons home in no time kid, trust me on that. We will not give up these woods without a fight" Osiris proclaimed with a grin and Rose gave a simple nod.
"You will take fifty soldiers with you. Your goal is to kill the cells of scouts you can find across among the trees. You should try to capture some of them alive, but if they give you no other choice you should kill them. You'll stay out there for at least a week, just to make sure that the griffins won't find our main camp first" The sanguine said and then whistled for a young soldier.
While the mare gathered the fifty soldiers needed for the planned attacks was Nathaniel taken to a large ring of rocks by Osiris. The Lunar Guardian hadn't said a word to the human about why they were there but after the scout grabbed a sword it became clear he wanted to test Nathaniel's skill. The teen removed most of his equipment, many soldiers admiring the glowing bowstring his projectile weapon possessed, and drew his sword.
The man and pony started by circling each other. Both of them were unsure of the other's speed, but Osiris was finally the one to make the first move. Holding the steel blade in his mouth the stallion quickly dashed for the human and craned his neck backwards. Osiris brought down a strike aimed for the man's chest, Nathaniel blocking the slash with his own blade. The man quickly pushed the warrior back and then started to slash away at the stallion, making quick jabs and long slashes.
The display brought out many soldiers from their tents to watch. The Two Lunar Guardians showed of the skills they had learnt during their time with the army. Osiris had several years of combat experience while Nathaniel had only a few months, which was why it was incredible how long the man managed to hold off his opponent. The black haired teen and the golden coated stallion exchanged more slashes and parries, sweat pouring from Nate's forehead. Osiris left his left side open for the human to strike at, so he did so.
Yet it wasn't a sudden mistake on the pony's part, as he effortlessly used his right off to change the way the blade pointed from his mouth. The movement had been so quick the human had barely any time to react before his slash was blocked and Osiris threw himself into the man's side. Nathan fell onto his back and dropped his sword, the stallion on top of him with his own blade against the teen's throat.
"I win" The stallion grinned, tossing his sword to the side.
"You're fucking quick. I barely saw you move" Nate said and got up.
The sparring math had only lasted a few minutes yet the action had been enough to gather a large portion of their soldiers. The ponies seemed impressed by the two Guardians' display and cheered on for the victory. Nathan picked up his sword and sheeted it, looking at Osiris picking up his own blade. The stallion had wanted to test him, so did he pass?
"Did I do well?" Nate asked him and the pony nodded.
"You move quickly enough and your strikes are precise. You can work on your awareness though. You didn't even think about what I could do, only what I was doing" Osiris explained and the human nodded.
After their sparring match was the two friends given their fifty soldiers. While they all seemed to hold deep respect for the scout to the human's right they didn't seem to feel the same about Nathan, looking at him with suspicion. It seemed that to earn the trust and respect of the soldiers around him the human would be forced to become a warrior like Osiris. He wondered if his skill would be enough against the trained griffin military, but there was only one way to find out.
"I trust that you know why you are here!" Osiris yelled out to the soldiers who saluted at the stallion's voice.
"We are to clear out any damn griffin scouts trying to map these woods! The less the enemy knows about our land the better!" The stallion continued and gave Nathan a look.
Osiris wanted him to talk? And say what? Don't die please? The human felt the pressure of leadership pushed onto him and he didn't like it. What could he say? Maybe mention that they probably didn't know jack shit about how to survive in the Everfree? They all looked to have never been inside the forest before, many of them having complained about the weather not being controlled by the pegasi.
"Not a single one of you knows how to survive in these woods! These coming days will be rough and contain danger unlike most things you have ever seen! You have an army of sixty-thousand griffins and Dark Ponies all marching for Canterlot! So everything we do in these woods is to stop them from reaching their goal of victory!" Nathaniel said and a few gave him respectful nods.
So mimicking a military instructor worked surprisingly well, even if most of the soldiers seemed indifferent to him. The human was just glad something he came up with on a whim didn't end with him looking like a fool. He would need these soldiers to have his back, so he would need them to trust him and respect him.
"You heard the kid! You lot are gonna see some gruesome shit out there! But you will fight for crown and country, so you will not let that stop you!" The Lunar Guardian yelled and the soldiers all let a loud 'Yes Sir!'.
With that they were off. The group of fifty-one ponies, one human and an excited wolf all headed east with the intended goal of meeting up the scouts that had been sent out a few hours earlier. First another camp was to be established, this one much smaller but still crucial for the mission. Then traps would be built and beast nests would be found. After the preparations would they map the area and keep track of any hostile activity. When the first sign of a griffin soldier appeared would they all ambush the scouts, taking prisoners if possible.
The plan was sound, and the soldiers seemed ready for a fight. So the human happily walked down the path among the trees with the only sound behind him being the marching hoofsteps of the soldiers and the creaking of an old wagons wheels. The wagon carried supplies they would need to set up a camp further south, like smaller tents and food. It was planned that the human and Osiris would stay at least a weak in the eastern part of Everfree, something that made the human nervous.
"You'll be fine kid. I promise you that you'll be back in the castle drinking liquor in no time" The stallion said and the human nodded.
"I'm gonna hold you to that until we get back home" He grinned before realizing what he'd just said.
Home? It seems spending time with the ponies had made him crazy after all. Considering that the white castle on top the mountain would never had been a home to him before. It still didn't really feel like home. Or at least, it didn't feel like home without his friends there. Yep, the ponies had made him go mad. But he had to admit to liking the idea, madness or not.
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Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I looked at the zebras running around the Spellbinder . The ship had been pulled up onto land using cut down trees from the more tropical region of their nation. I felt like we were building something great, bringing in a new era for Equestria. King Fortem had welcomed us with open hooves, the zebra stallion having pulled back most of his warriors from the south to face the griffins. When I told him of our plans had he agreed on the terms without a second thought.
Now our first attempt to use some of Star Swirl's blueprints would start. We had skilled metal workers in the form of the zebras and creatures able to properly melt Sky Metal in the form of the dragons. With their combined efforts would we be able to completely coat the underside of the ship in the light metal. Yet we were running out of time to gather our allies, even with my raven having reached our fleet commander a few hours earlier and returned with a message.
The ships would no longer aim at taking back the Celestial sea, but to rather meet up with the zebra smiths in Zebrika. It was a long shot, with just how quickly we would be forced to work, but I was certain it could be done. If the old wizard had gotten it to work on a model then it should work on a large scale ship. I felt a bead of sweat pour down my snout as I felt the heat from the dragon fire next to me. They were melting the metal and then placing it over the Spellbinder's hull. With quick appliance of spells and water was the procedure easy enough. But it took time.
The balloon had been an annoying part of the puzzle however. The amount of materials that had to be stitched together for one ballon to work was a lot. So when the zebras were forced to grab cloth from their villages they grumbled but understood the necessity. To make the balloon was only thing however, as we would need to fill it up with air. Or rather, what Spectral called air but it clearly was no such thing. I just hoped all the parts of the ship would be completed soon.
I spent most of my days training or measuring just how much time we had until the griffins would arrive on the Zebrikan shores. King Fortem often asked me for the well being of the human whenever my raven would return, my answer always being the same. I simply didn't know if the Lunar Guardian was alive or not, as the last time I saw him he was traveling to the Dark Kingdom.
I had hoped to move on towards the north by the end of the first week we spent in Zebrika, but the complicated spells Spectral was forced to use drained him. Even with commander Shield's help was it slow work making all the runes on the ship's hull. By the second day of the second week were the runes completed, Spectral telling me that the ship was ready. I was skeptical at first but quickly believed him when I saw the logs below the hull being illuminated by the runes.
"My Lord. We have completed the first step of the procedure. But we need more time on the canons and mortar, as Star Swirl called them" The white coated unicorn told me and I nodded.
"We will not allow them to take Equestria. Leave the runes schematics behind for the zebras along with everything else, they will need it. Tell me when the rest of the upgrades are completed, for we leave the same second that happens" I told him and the stallion nodded, heading back to oversee the ship.
With these weapons we would not loose the war. We only needed that the princesses could hold back the griffins a few weeks with the numbers available to them. I cursed thinking about that over a week had passed since we pulled the ship on land, which meant many soldiers could already be dead. But we had no choice. We needed more allies if we were to win this fight, so we had to make a few stops along the way. I just hoped that by the time we could help our people that they all wouldn't be dead..
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Nathaniel's POV
The teen raised the mug filled with water and happily drank it. The cool liquid helped him against the sun warming his skin as he worked. Nathaniel hadn't been to happy when they first got to their assigned location and found it to be already inhabited. The ponies that they had bumped into had apparently been smugglers, hiding away in the woods until they could get their wares to the designated buyer.
Osiris had conscripted them to the human's surprise, wanting to use their skills of smuggling to quickly move messages and supplies over the land. The Lunar Guardian had came up with the idea so quickly if felt like he had done it before. Yet the man was still impressed by the stallion's good idea, the golden coated stallion seeming more like the type to kill rather then recruit.
After the encounter with the smugglers had the group of fifty-two warriors started setting up camp and give out orders. Osiris had started to group up the ponies that had gone with them in different squads, sending them all out to do different things. Nathaniel had followed suit, mimicking Osiris as he tried his best to act natural giving out orders. Yet after the last ponies had been sent out to set traps all around the woods was the human handed a shovel. He and Osiris would be digging as well, making traps around the camp.
So now the teen was digging a deep hole just outside the camp, making sure that it would be deep enough to capture any griffin walking over it. Yet his friend had reminded him several times that the pit couldn't be too deep. With the griffins having wings they could easily try to break their fall when the ground caved away beneath them. With a pit that was deep enough to fall into but shallow enough climb out of could they place the sharpened branches into it.
With over one day having been spent on setting up camp and sending the smugglers back with a few quick soldiers was the group progressing slower than Nathan would've liked. They were spread thin trying to set up traps, find monster nests and mark possible places to ambush incoming griffins. It was all hard work that would take at least a week, if not more. With a groan the human heaved out some dirt from the pit before climbing out of it, seeing Osiris doing the same from his pit across the camp.
So far had the experience been tiring but not useless. The traps he and the other Lunar Guardian was working on was a last resort, a last defense against incoming attackers. But they were not done, not even close. The scout had planned for the human to set up something called "magical sensors". A rune that would signal to another rune when someone passed it, something which was used to safeguard houses in Canterlot.
Nathaniel had opened his grimoire and looked for such a spell. The book was categorized with A-Z, the man not finding anything on "M" about magical sensors. He did find the mentioned spell on "R" however, as the thing Osiris had spoken off was called "Runes Of Knowing". The spell itself was a long and complicated mess, the mere look of it making the young mage question his life choices.
Visus occultatum vestig monitum
The Visus occultatum vestig monitum spell, or "Magical Sensor" spell as most knows it, is the enchantment of two chosen areas with a rune. The spell is the scholars best tool against thieves or murders, allowing the mage to place one rune at the bottom of his stairs and one next to him in his study. When the rune chosen as a sensor is disturbed by a sentient creature walking into its proximity will its sister rune glow red. While this may be many false alarms for a mage, it is always better to be safe then sorry.
Ingredients for the Visus Runes
Silver dust (fifty grams).
Milk (One liter).
Phoenix feather or cat fur.
Drop of blood (must be from caster).
Demon blood (ten milliliters), butter (thirty grams) or water (one centiliter).
Sellswords leaves (five).
Begin by mixing together the silver dust, milk and blood (water and butter works if more magical power is put into the spell). Crush the Selllswords leaves until they're only small fragments and then put them with the rest of the ingredients. End the the first part of the spell by either throwing cat fur or a phoenix feather into the paste. Let it boil for a minute while exposed to magical energy (such as a holy sight to the late Faust) and the paste is complete. Start the spell casting by drawing up two rings with the paste. Draw two dots in the chosen ring that will act to detect enemies and one dot in the ring meant to receive a warning. While drawing these runes a mage must chant the spell quickly and precisely, as the paste hardens with little to no time. Ones the chanting is completed will the two rings be connected to each other and only seen by the mage casting them. However be aware that other creatures can still feel the rings, meaning that it can still arise suspicion.
Nathaniel sat there blinking for a few seconds before slowly putting down the book. The stallion noticed the human's expression and trotted over to him. The man showed the pony all the required ingredients for the paste used to draw the runes. Osiris eyes widened as he read that a phoenix feather would be needed and did the same as he spotted the name "Sellswords leaves".
"Cat fur is gonna be easier to get a hold off, but not out with our limited time. Sellswords leaves are extremely rare, so rare even the arch mage has a limited supply of them" The scout said and Nathan sighed.
"So we can't make it then. It seems we're gonna have to rely on the soldiers watching out over the woods" The teen said and Osiris nodded.
"Rose sent a message to us with a raven earlier today. They have set up a few more camps like these in the woods, spreading out the soldiers we have. She hopes that the amount of monsters that lives in the western parts of Everfree will pick off more griffins before they reach us. But they will eventually come here" The Lunar Guardian told him.
"Do we know how many we will face?" Nate asked his friends who shook his head.
"A few hundred? A few thousand? It's unclear without spies from the changeling kingdom" Osiris responded and looked up at the sun.
"We will get some more soldiers next week, four hundred to increase our force to a thousand. With those numbers we might be able to hold Everfree for a while, but you still need to hone your own skills kid if we are to survive. I can't have you
Nathaniel thought about the pony's words for a few minutes and nodded, looking to his equipment a few meters away. He wasn't a master when it came to combat nor magic. He was still trying to learn the combat spell Star Swirl taught on their way to the Dragon Land and his personal spells were still unnamed. His ability to send away a blast of magic didn't need a fancy spell name, but his ability to summon a dome shield and heal himself did. Having a name on the magical abilities would make it easier for him to summon them.
The human had looked through the grimoire for spells similar to his own to find out their names. Yet none of the names given had really fit him. So the man had simply asked for a book with ancient words with the hope to find some sort name for his spells. So far had it hadn't worked, but he was hopeful. If he could name his spells and the motion behind them then it could be taught to others.
"Kid, did you hear that?" The stallion suddenly asked the human, his ears flicking.
"Heard what?" The man asked before suddenly a spear landed next to his hand, the human throwing himself out of the way.
By the trees stood a group of griffins, all of them growling at the human and pony. The two Lunar Guardians had been alone, the other soldiers out in the forest doing their tasks. The griffins had arrived too early. They weren't supposed to have found them this early. The teen ran for his weapons before another spear could be thrown his way, Osiris doing the same.
The griffins took that opportunity to take to the sky. They fell upon the two warriors and Nathaniel's head hit the ground, the sudden wight of a griffon on his back catching him off balance. Nate rolled onto his back and sent a blast of magic to where he thought his attacker was. The griffon was dressed in brown light armor, not the heavy silver one the other griffin soldiers wore. It seemed a group of scout had found them. Said griffon had raised his sword to stab the human, the blast of magic knocking it out of his talons.
The griffon scout quickly gabbed a knife from his side and tried to stab Nathan, the teen blocking the strike with his right arm. The two struggled and the human beat his fist into the side of the griffon's head. The griffon on top of the human was suddenly sent flying as a grey blur flew into his side, Blaze's growls and howls echoing over the woods. The wolf had been out hunting, but seemed to have heard the commotion at the camp.
The teen hurried up onto his feet and threw himself over his weapons, drawing the sword from its sheet. With a look over his shoulder he saw Blaze standing above the griffon, the soldier screaming as the hound bit into his head and neck. The human the spotted another griffon coming his way from above aiming another sword at him. Nathan just blocked the heavy strike from above and pushed the griffon back.
Osiris had been hounded by the griffins as well, the quick pony reaching his weapons long before Nathaniel. The earth pony was surrounded by three griffins, all of them trying to strike him down with their swords. Yet the stallion was easily dodging under their swings, suddenly in front one of the griffins and cutting open his throat. The other two gave off a alarmed cry at their comrades death, trying to kill the pony scout with more vigor.
Nathaniel was being pushed back by the griffon who used his wings to keep to the sky. It was getting harder and harder to block the enemy's strikes for the man, as the griffon was relentless. Suddenly Blaze howled loudly and ran for the griffins around Osiris. The griffon attacking the human noticed this and flew for the wolf, wanting to strike it down. For a split second the teen just watched, despair as the solider raced for his companion.
He needed to be there, he NEEDED to get to Blaze. His mark glowed and for a second all he could hear was his own breathing, before a flash of light erupted in the area. The sound of a sword dropping to the ground and strained breaths could be heard as the light cleared, the human standing behind the wolf with the griffon impaled on his blade. Nathan's face was pure rage for a second before horror replaced it. He watched the light in the soldiers eyes fade and he slid of the sword, hitting the ground. Dead. Nathaniel had killed him.
Nate was frozen, his hands shaking as he looked at the dead body. Had he done that? How had he moved so quickly? Why had he done that? To save Blaze. Had it been worth it? Could he have done it differently? Maybe Nathan just could have knocked the soldier out? Would that have worked? Why was he crying? Why was his lungs not getting any air? When did the bloody sword leave his hands?
The man was suddenly knocked onto his back, Osiris yelling something at him before the pony was kicked away by a griffon. Had the kill been justified? Did the soldier deserve to die? It had been necessary, he needed to convince himself of that. It was like the deer. The death was needed and not wasted. Nathaniel took no joy in the death, but it was still needed. It was needed. Right?
A griffon stood above the human and raised his sword, a grin on his beak. Osiris yelled out something and this time Nathan heard it. 'Run' was the word being repeated by the stallion's voice, but the teen would not run away. The death had been necessary. It had been needed. Maybe thinking that made him a horrible person, but so be it.
The distinct sound of Valkyrie flying across the air made the griffon look to his left before being hit in his head. The sound of the soldiers neck snapping could be clearly heard to the human who simply grabbed the war-hammer and got up. Nathaniel swirled around to build momentum and then let go of the his weapon, the sky-metal weapon hitting the last griffon standing and sending him flying into a tree.
Osiris looked at the human in surprise and shock as the magical weapon flew back to Nathan's hands. He slowly walked up to the man and could hear the faint cries and yells of their soldiers. It seemed like there were more griffins in the woods. The stallion felt slight fear as he looked into the human's eyes, the dark focused look not belonging on the man's face.
"Kid? Can you still fight?" Osiris asked the man who nodded.
"Yeah.. I can still kill" He responded and started to run for the forest, the wolf following him.
As Osiris followed Nathaniel he couldn't help but to look at the man's face. For some reason the stallion shuddered, feeling like a sudden warmth was gone. The griffins would not be walking away from the forest this day. From the determined look in the human's eyes would they all fall upon his blade. The time of war was upon them, and the necessity of death had gripped the youngest Guardian in the group. The pony scout just hoped it would let go of the man once the war was over.
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Luna's POV
I looked at the burning building with a scowl, my scythe buried in the dirt. When my sister had sent me to Baltimare with half of our current forces I thought the griffins would have left some of the surrounding villages standing. But I was wrong, death and fire all around us. I never thought that Guto would be able to commit such crimes, but I had clearly been wrong about the griffon king.
The village had been just outside Baltimare, maybe housing a hundred ponies at most? It was now mostly ruins, with our once happy citizens dead on the ground. All those houses and fields, all those families. I felt such rage just looking at the destroyed settlement that I was forced to take a couple of deep breaths. This was not the end of the griffins crimes, the soldiers from the west raiding the city a mile away. We could hear the fighting from here, and it sounded like we were loosing.
The mages in the city had been under siege for a few days, seemingly loosing more and more ground as the hours passed. I couldn't even comprehend what they had been forced to do just to stay alive. The black smoke rising from Baltimare's many houses and guard towers clouded the sky, making it impossible for my pegasi soldiers to fly high above the city to scout it. But it posed the same issue to the griffins, meaning that they would not see all our soldiers.
"Princess!" The voice of commander Iron reached my ears and I turned to the blue mare.
"Can we get into the city without heavy losses?" I asked her and rested my weapon on my shoulder.
"We might. The battle is taking place at the city center if our scouts is to be believed. With some soldiers we can create a distraction south of Baltimare. They'll run around with flags, create a lot of noise and light bonfires. The soldiers at the edge of the city will engage only to find nothing and we get into the city" She said and I nodded.
My light blue armor didn't quite fit with the amount of golden clad soldiers following me. The helmet resting on my head bore the same colour as my armor while its edge was black. The equipment was apparently similar to the one the Nightmare had worn, making me slightly anxious to put it on at first. But Celestia had calmed me, promised me that I was in control. I was in control, nopony else.
"Do so. We will move towards the city core and save our battle mages. We will need every unicorn we can get our hooves on if we are to win back the coast" I said and she saluted, running off to inform the captains and other commanders.
I wished Star Swirl had gone with me. The old wizard had looked over old schematics and similar things to give us an advantage. But he hadn't found anything that would help us given our limited time. The older stallion had finally been forced to simply aid us with his wast knowledge of magic, acting as mentor and leader to the mages. When it was rumored that Fillydelphia was under siege by at least three times as many soldiers as Baltimare was he forced to go with Celestia. Star Swirl had also taken most of our battle mages with him, aiming to use their strength to swiftly take out the threat.
I knew that our old teacher going with Tia was the best decision considering the circumstances. But that didn't mean I had to like it. I didn't want to like it. For a few days we had traveled and cut down what griffins that had come across our path. Very few of them seemed to come east until the cities had been taken. With the soldiers stationed in Fillydeplphia and Baltimare it was understandable why they had started there. Most of them were battle mages with experience from weeding out bandits and local crime. They all had skills with spears and swords, even if those weapons weren't used that often. They even had magical artifacts locked away in the colleges there.
Attacking our coastal cities first was a strategic move on Guto's part. He must have known where we had our best soldiers, our best weapons and our strongest artifacts. But I would not stand for this. I would not let him hurt our people any longer or burn our homes. It was time that Equestria fought back. With my wings unfolding I carried myself away from the village, passing over a massive force of over two thousand ponies marching for the city. We would not let our country fall without a fight.
I landed and spotted to the south how great fires, screams and the sound of metal hitting metal drew the attention of many griffins in the city. They ran and flew towards the noise, allowing me to point my scythe at the city. The fires of the city and surrounding villages lit up the darkening sky, as no moon would hang there for a long time. My sister kept her duty even in the midst of battle. If that was brave or stupid I couldn't even start to comprehend.
"For Equestra! For our lives!" I yelled and the soldiers charged towards the city.
The pegasi flew quickly towards the large towers of wood and houses of stone, taking out what griffins they could find. My rallying call had been heard by the force of griffins we had sent to the south, but it was too late. Within a few minutes we had breached the outer city wall and stormed into the city. The chanting of my soldiers made me feel pride, these courageous souls giving their all in protecting our country.
We were met with heavy resistance right of the bat. I hurried to the front lines with my warriors, letting my blade slash through the armored bodies of our enemies. My soldiers had a hard time getting through the thick armor of the griffins that met us, but I did not. With a snarl I took to the skies and even with the black smoke hurting my eyes I cut down any griffin that thought himself brave enough to face my wrath. I sent a heads rolling and crippled any one of them trying to get through to our mages in the back.
The unicorns rained fire and ice from the sky, many of the griffin troops screaming in fear at the sudden use of magic. They mustn't have expected us to have any mages left then. They were wrong. I helped my fellow mages by casting shields and raining lightning down upon the enemy. They might had been more in numbers, as they never seemed to stop coming and never gave away any ground, but they lacked magic.
With a roar I collected as much magic as I could in my horn and let a great black beam tear through the mass of griffins trying to stop us from entering the city. With the streets only being a few meters wide with a few back-alleys here and there couldn't either force truly spread out. But with griffins coming from the sky and and running out from the side streets could we only keep fighting. My beam had allowed us to push into their front lines and drive them back towards the middle of the city where we could see spells being cast by the survivors.
Yet something didn't seem right. The griffins had a lot more numbers, most likely over five thousand to have so easily taken over the city, but they were almost letting us win. It felt horrible to think those words as I looked upon the trail of death that followed the battle, bodies starting to pile up. However it just felt like the truth. Even if they were cutting down as many of my soldiers as they could they weren't protecting themselves. They let our pegasi flank them, left their front lines weak against our earth ponies and still kept to the sky even with our mages shooting them down.
They weren't caring if the died or not. They were loosing soldiers left and right but it didn't phase them. They were so focused on only trying to take down as many soldiers as they could with them. Was this the orders Guto gave to his army? The command to die instead of to fight? I felt pity for the enemy soldiers then. They were simply pawns in Guto's larger game, and they only fought for what they believed was right.
But pity was not what war required. Death and destruction would be the only way we won today, even if we wanted to admit that or not. I landed and swirled around with my scythe, cutting down three griffins in one fell swoop. We had lost many just pushing them back, how many? I stepped on the body of on my soldiers as a griffin locked blades with me, a spear suddenly jammed into my shoulder.
With a scream of pain I sent out a blast of magic at the griffon in front of me before sinking my blade into the other attacker's head. I was forced to pull out the spear with my magic and then quickly went back to pushing back our enemy, even if I could barely stand with my left front leg thanks to my shoulder. I needed to see a healer soon, poison or other horrible things possibly in my system now.
I think hours passed, blood covering the streets of Baltimare as we fought on into the city core. My heart never stopped beating like a drum as I slashed my way though the enemy lines, cutting down anything in my path. I had gotten more injuries as the fighting went on. My right wing was now bleeding and hurting to much to use while my horn was aching after casting so many spells. I could feel both blood and dead mana running from my mouth but I didn't stop. We had pushed them back and I started to see more and more griffins fleeing.
"Drive them back! Do not let them retake the city!" I screamed before a metal rod hit me in the head.
I fell to the ground and I heard concerned cries from some of the commanders I had brought with me. The streets had opened up to town squares and our soldiers now had the ability to really move around. With smaller bodies and lighter armor could our soldiers easily dodge blows from heavy weapons. But sometimes we ran out of luck. I could feel blood pouring down from my forehead and I looked up at a griffon with white feathers. Guto's guard captain, Steelbeak, stood above me with a glare.
"Your kind will burn princess . And we will enjoy watching it happen" He said before quickly stabbing a pony soldier in the throat.
Before I could even try to respond he flew off, joining his fleeing brethren. With how many griffin soldiers we had killed this should have felt like a victory. But I only felt like we had been fooled somehow. Why send soldiers just to die? Why hold a city but not put up a good enough defense to keep it? The whole point of taking a place like Baltimare was to keep it, unless it was all a distraction. Unless it was all a distraction.. By the gods. Celestia, run.
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Celestia's POV
I panted and slammed my sword into the body of the griffin. For hours had the battle gone on, so many of our soldiers falling to griffin blades. I wanted to weep as I looked upon the amount of dead littering the streets, but I could not. I had to fight on for the sake of my people. I could not show weakness in times like these. With a deep breath I pulled up my blade from the body and cut down another griffon running towards me. My white blade and armor was covered in red blood, as was my fur.
We had won ground as the hours went on. The rumors had been true and at least ten thousand soldiers held this city, meaning that we were forced to rely on magic for the battle. Star Swirl had lead the mages and with their help had we been able to get into the city walls. But we no longer had over two thousand soldiers, only a couple of hundred. We had killed so many griffins their bodies were piling up, but among them laid our own dead. I had spotted a still face of one or two ponies I had known on the street, their bodies bloody and bruised.
War was the most horrible thing on our planet. I could handle bandits, I could handle angry citizens and I could even handle the nobles conspiring to take me and Luna's throne. But war? I couldn't handle war. I once swore to myself to never let my nation get dragged into war, but to still be ready for it. All my efforts to build good relations with the changeling to use their spy network had been in vain. All those talks with the dragon lord to ensure that he would aid us in a crisis had been in vain. Even allowing the Dark Kingdom and The Crystal Empire to be mostly left alone had been a mistake. All I had done lately was mistakes.
With a growl I threw myself into battle and decapitated a griffon to slow to realize what was happening. I just kept killing and did my best to protect my soldiers from harm. In the end it seemed our efforts finally payed off as we made it to the battle mages located in the city center. Both here and in Baltimare had they retreated to the barracks in an attempt to wait out the siege. But they were still forced to fight.
I could see both civilians and battle mages dead on the ground as we pushed through the griffon army. My blood boiled at the sight and I summoned what magic I had left to rain fire down on our enemy. With their feathers aflame most of the griffins ran, getting cut down in the panic. Guto had sacrificed his soldiers without a second thought, leaving them without any means to counter our magic. Either he had truly gone completely mad or there was something else going on.
"Princess Celestia!" A voice screamed and I saw a unicorn mare dressed in our golden armor come running.
"How many are alive?" I asked and looked around the square, so many dead.
"There isn't time for that! You need to leave! King Guto is here! It is a trap!" She yelled before suddenly a great wooden creaking echoed over the sky.
I looked up and from the black smoke emanating from the burning city emerged a sight I never thought I'd see. A flying ship sailed through the air, two small wing like sails at its sides with a balloon like thing keeping it afloat. The hull of the ship was covered in sky-metal with glowing blue runes and from each side could five large metal devices be seen. They had the shape of a cylinder almost, but the part attached to the ship was more bulky. But for many it was the sheer size of the ship that scared them, as it seemed to be at least twenty meters wide and half a kilometer long. The prow pointed east, towards Canterlot.
Before I could even react did the cylinder shaped metal devices start collecting magic from the air. They looked like the "canons" Star Swirl had thought up a long time ago. I yelled for my troops to fall back but it was to late. The ten large canons pointed down at the city and with a flash of light they fired. I was blinded by the impact but I felt the ground crack and fly into the air. I could hear buildings falling and the screams of my soldiers. I couldn't tell if I had moved or not as my body was numb from the shockwave the blast had created. I only heard a few more screams before darkness took me with only one thought on my mind.
'"I'm so sorry Luna"
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Author's Note
There we go! The war has started and one city has fallen to Guto's army and military power! I feel so good writing this chapter knowing that we have started on the final arc of the story. I can't wait to give you all the next chapter
Thanks for reading the chapter! Have a wonderful day!
Chapter Twenty-two: The angel's anger
The bodies were given a Honorable funeral. The human helped with digging the grave for all the dead soldiers that had attacked them. It was more than they deserved according to Osiris and Nathaniel agreed with him to some degree. But these scouts had just been soldiers, payed to fight for their country like the ponies standing with the human in this conflict. But a respectful funeral didn't mean they had been given a respectful end. Nathan had personally cut down five more griffins the day before, Valkyrie stained with blood when he was finished.
The whole battle had almost been muted for the human. His instinct had taken over and he'd allowed what training Luna had provided to guide his hands. The griffins had been victorious at first, killing three of their groups they had sent out into the woods. But the same second the human had leveled a couple of trees with the magical weapon had the griffins lost. In the end laid sixty-two dead on the ground, six of which were ponies. The battle between the two scout groups had lasted for three hours and when it was over was Nathaniel forced of a corpse he'd been beating on for ten minutes. The mush Nathan left behind on the forest floor had once been a griffin and the human had puked at the sight.
With the adrenaline and anger gone from his body was Nate forced to look at the bloody aftermath of the battle. It had been horrible, all different kinds of emotions suddenly battling for dominance. Anger, sadness, shame, confusion and relief had bubbled up into choked sobs. It had been so strange to cry over the loss of those that tried to kill him. They had gladly taken his life without a second thought, but Nathan had a breakdown after seeing his first real battle. Osiris assured him that it was normal and that it was a good thing. The stallion had said to him that it meant he still had a soul.
After having dragged himself to his tent and fallen into an uneasy sleep the human awoke to the pony soldiers digging a large hole in the ground. With the intent of burying the dead before the animals in the woods got their claws on them the Equestrian soldiers showed a kindness that the man didn't think anyone could possess in a war. With the feelings of regret, shame and responsibility clawing at his mind the teen helped them dig. So when they were finally done were all the bodies magically lowered into the grave, the only exception being the griffon Nathaniel had turned to mush. A coffin had been made for that soldier.
The stench from the mass grave was enough to make the human gag. But with the lack of any food in his body couldn't he puke from the smell. Thankfully were the griffins grave quickly buried below dirt thanks to the unicorns among the soldiers and a grave stone were put in place above the grave. Another unicorn had engraved the date of the battle and a little information of what had happened along with how many griffins rested below the ground. It was a small act of kindness, a way to later identify the soldiers that had died with the information given. Finally to complete the funeral Osiris said a prayer for the dead, a prayer from the griffins religion.
"May Ygrid recognize your skill in the life that comes next. Let the sky be your beds, sleep militibus in caelum " The stallion said before looking at the six grave stones a couple of meters to the left.
"May Faust watch over your journey and may Solarium give you the honor you didn't find in this life" The Lunar Guardian said to the six graves and the other ponies saluted.
The griffins had been buried maybe one-hundred meters into the woods, same with the pony soldiers that had died in the attack. The luxury of being able to bury the dead would very likely not come again, as more and more soldiers would venture further into the Everfree now. With a group of scouts already missing it wouldn't take long for the bulk of the forces in the woods to come their way. With other camps like theirs in the forest would more scout parties sent out by the griffins be killed. But even with the added help from the other soldiers would the battles be hard fought and bloody.
The camp was quiet after the funeral. A few soldiers had objected to even giving the dead griffins the respect of last rites, but Osiris had been firm with his decision. The golden coated stallion had told the human that the Equestrian was not like their Griffonian counter-parts. Even in a war was respect meant to be shown to the dead. The Lunar Guardian had even gone so far to ban any soldiers from disfiguring a griffon corpse. The southern pony's respect for the dead was an honorable trait, even more so considering just how much he seemed to dislike the griffins in the first place.
With the forest once again calm and the bodies no longer in sight could Nathan once again study. The human hadn't been able to do much without his weapons during the battle the day before. It was a problem that loosing his weapons could mean the loss of his life. So Nate decided to practice the combat spell Star Swirl had taught him all those weeks ago in the Dragon Lands. Globus igneus was the name of the spell that would allow the human to cast a ball of fire at his enemies. But so far it was still hard to control.
The first time the human had tried to cast the spell inside the wizard's room on the Golden Stallion it had blown up in his face. With his limited knowledge and focus back then had the ball of fire simply exploded. The fire had been contained by Star Swirl who had asked him to try again and again. During the fifth botched attempt at succeeding with globus igneus had the man acidently lit the mage's wizard hat on fire. This had earned him a banishment from the Arch Mage's quarters for at least a day. The memory still made him chuckle.
With the memory of the spell's explosive result was Nathaniel forced to go away from the camp. The human couldn't risk the tents catching on fire due to his failed casting of the combat spell. So Nathan decided to venture into the woods, Blaze following him curiously. The wolf hadn't left his side since the battle, always close enough to protect him but far away enough for the man to not notice his presence. Seeing his companion being protective of his owner was amusing to the human, but it also made him feel lucky for having Blaze. The hound was always there for him, watching his back since the first cold months in the Everfree. Nathan was glad the wolf hadn't run off the first time the ponies found them. Blaze's presence had meant the world those first few weeks.
After they had walked for a couple of minutes were Nathaniel certain that the magic wouldn't cause any damage to the pony camp. With that knowledge fresh in mind he quickly grabbed his grimoire and opened up the page describing Globus igneus . The book had most known spells described within its pages, many seen too dangerous for the common mage. But Star Swirl had entrusted the tome with the human, so the man assumed the old wizard knew what he was doing. It was still just a book after all, so the thing wasn't dangerous in off itself. With his head a lot more calmer and clear since the events of the day before Nathaniel read the page about Globus igneus .
Globus igneus
The spell that makes the demons of Tartarus bow. The spell that control the battlefield. The spell that the goddess of fire herself would be impressed by. See your mana as a calm fire fed fuel. Let it grow into an untamed beast and then let it take shape. Allow yourself to bathe in the glory of its might before unleashing it upon your enemies. But be aware, this spell is a powerful one. Do not take its use lightly.
The page ended after that, leaving Nathaniel with the mental image he'd need to cast the spell. The man remembered when Star Swirl had taught him Solaris Mico , the spell that blinded your enemies. The first few attempts of using the spell had failed, not any light produced. But after finally being able to focus and allow himself to think about the spell was Nate able to cast it. The bright light he had created that day only spurred him on about learning magic. Now it was time to continue studying the ancient knowledge given to him.
With a deep breath Nathaniel held out his right hand. The rune glowed a soft green on it, like it was responding to him using his magic. The feeling of the mana rushing through his bones never got old, the teen allowing himself to smile as the magic took shape from his mind. The point of the spell was to create destruction, so that what was the human let his mind drift towards. The war raging through the land, the battle that took place the day before and the memory of Garthram's gates falling. It all fueled him until he allowed the ball to take shape. It reminded him of a miniature sun as a blazing red orb slowly formed in front of his right hand. The human took another deep breath and prepared to send it onto the ground, only for it to explode.
The shock-wave was powerful enough to send Nathaniel rolling back a few meters, groaning in pain. His eardrums felt like they had shattered and Blaze had set off into the woods yipping in fear. The explosion had scorched the ground where Nate had been sitting, the grass blackened and smoldering. So it seemed the spell would be harder to pick up then Nathan originally thought. The human would be forced to spend the coming few hours practicing. Unless Osiris found out he almost caused a forest fire. With the mental picture of the Lunar Guardian slowly walking towards him with a dagger Nate got up and hurried away from the scene. Maybe this particular spell wasn't the best to practice on when they were supposed to be hiding.
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Rose's POV
I looked at the report and the nervous face of my subordinate. She had worked for hours to get all the facts and even now when she was certain of the events the mare was still nervous about my reaction. Maybe she expected anger or something similar. But all I could do was to stare at the report in horror. Its title was so simple but implied so many horrible things. How could somepony had managed to write all of it down? What brave soul had managed to put such words to print? Why couldn't it just be a bad dream?
Fillydelphia is destroyed
The report's title was horrifying to think about. Could we really have lost all of those ponies homes? Could we really have lost all those soldiers to the griffins? Could we really have lost Celestia? That last part was most likely the worst news I had heard all week. Our princess of the sun was gone. Nopony knew if she was dead or alive. All we knew was that the griffins had a secret weapon, flying ships. They had surprised us so much with the new inventions that the soldiers marching for Fillydelphia had been completely wiped out. Those that remained rushed for Everfree, to our hiding places among the trees. The only good thing from all of it was that the griffins had lost many soldiers when they tried to defend the coastal cities. Maybe over thirty-five thousand ponies and griffins had died during a couple of hours. Those numbers were impossible to imagine. I had almost cried when first reading the report.
The dead could very well reach over fifty thousand if civilians were still trapped in the cities at the time. So many dead in the span of a few hours along with the revelation of the griffins having flying ships were enough for having some of my most trusted commanders running away. They had been stopped before they could flee however, but the point still stands. The situation was bad, bad enough for loyal soldiers to flee. Princess Luna's status was also unknown, as reports of more flying ships being seen cruising over Baltimare.
With the Lord Protector gone, the princess either dead or too injured to continue to fight, the Arch Mage having disappeared during the battle and General Diamond most likely having fallen in the battle of Fillydelphia it only left us. It left me, Osiris and Nathaniel in charge of the Equstrian forces. With Guardian Holy Light by the southern border, Guardian Minerva and Guardian Solstice had joined Celstia and Luna on the coast. So far had no letter been sent by Guardian Solstice or Minerva, indicating something ominous.
Everything that could had gone wrong in the last twenty-four hours had gone wrong. We were without leadership, lacked resources to combat the griffins and our troops were spread so thin that having one-hundred of them at the same place was an impossibility. I was tasked with leading the soldiers from the forward camp, making sure we held the Everfree at all costs. But what did that matter if Clestia and Luna had fallen in battle? What were the reasons to fight if we were facing an enemy that could wipe out a city like it was nothing? We had nothing to combat those flying ships! And even if we could face the new weapons then we would still be fighting against a larger force.
I sighed and started to write a letter to Osiris. They needed to know about what had happened at the coast. I could already imagine the human's reaction to Luna's disappearance. It was probably for the best the griffins were the ones in the man's path as I doubted he'd be very calm after hearing about the Princess. I did not want to be at the end of Valkyire when our youngest Guardian went berserk.
The letter was finished rather quickly, my left wing gripping a hold of the pen as I noted down all the important information Osiris and Nate would need. I put the letter in an envelope and then sealed it using yellow wax with the stamp of the Equstrian military. A courier was given the message and sent off into the woods to the scout camp to the south. The earth pony stallion and the human was over a day away, but the couriers were quick and trustworthy. I couldn't risk sending a raven after the coast fell, it could be shoot down by an arrow. If the griffins suddenly knew more about our location then those ships would easily destroy what presence we held in the woods.
I gently flapped my wings as they felt rather stiff, still not fully healed since the battle against Nightmare Moon. I no longer had them bound to my sides, but they still felt stung if I tried to fly. I hated the feeling of not being able to fly. For any creature with wings it was the second worst thing that could happen to you, the first thing being loosing your sight. A sanguine without her wings were like a unicorn without his horn. It couldn't really get worse than that. I once again sighed and sat down on my chair and looked at the hare the scouts had killed for me. The ponies in the army could at least stomach the thought of killing animals, even if they couldn't cook it.
As I started to work on the hare I wondered if Nathan was hunting out there in the woods. The human had always been doing that when we observed him, stalking his next prey with a wolf cub following along. Back then he had used a bow made from some simple wood and string, now he was using a bow made from Darkwood with a bowstring made from a goddess's mane. I wanted to be out there and hunt with him, to feel the air under my wings as I eyed my prey. But duty came first.
As I placed the meat in a cauldron over a small campfire those thoughts lingered in my head. The line the Lord Protector had spoken many times during the years I had seen him close to the princesses. Such a simple sentence that carried so much weight. Duty comes first. It was the motto of all who served the crown and the guiding light for when a soldier felt lost. Yet as I looked into the smoldering embers I didn't feel any more guided than before. If anything I felt even more lost, like a bat that had lost its hearing.
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Enjo Steelheart's POV
I hurried through the camp to see what commander Fylk was gonna say. The wolf-pony had been sending us out on more and more obscure missions these last few weeks. Once we were simply to watch the griffins going about their day in one of their camps. We just sat there hidden among the dunes, annoyed we couldn't kill the mountain pissers. Other orders given to us was to steal documents I was not allowed to read, deliver messages to the other tribes and gather as many willing warriors as possible.
I couldn't understand what my commander was planning. He had normally just relied on our superior strength to handle any Griffins or Shadow Ponies that tried to push us away from our own land, but not now. We were acting carefully, slowly. It was making most of the warriors agitated and restless, many wondering what had gotten into our leader. I agreed with them that the sudden shift in priorities was out of left field, but I trusted Fylk. He had gotten us this far and united five tribes under his leadership. If the other tribes decided to join us in this fight then we would finally have a nation of our own. We would finally have cities among the great rivers and farmland in the north. We would finally be more than just nomads in the desert.
I walked past many rows of grey tents filled with the families and elderly the warriors had brought with them. There had to have been at least six hundred tents all together, resting around the largest oasis in the desert. Fylk had originally lead my tribe here after saving us from a Tartarus snake, the elders gladly accepting the gift of live giving water. As more tribes joined us around the Oasis we soon had a city of tents in the middle of the desert. At first there were concerns that the griffins would find us easily if we remained in one place for too long but that never happened. Fylk said it was simple, the griffins didn't see us as a large enough threat to move deep into the desert. Or at least they hadn't until now.
The camp we had raided a few weeks prior had been only three miles away from our home. It meant the chickens were finally moving further west in an attempt to snuff us out, something that had agitated Commander Fylk. But the reports of a war had been what really set the boll rolling among us. Suddenly the Commander wanted us to do things silently, hoping to keep the griffins of our scent. I had told him that we could easily wipe out any camp we found, to which he called me arrogant and prideful. Our leader wanted the tasks done, who did them didn't matter to him. All he cared about right now was that we followed his orders and waited. It seemed the time of waiting was now over however.
As I rounded another corner I looked upon a crowd of my fellow mutants. They all stood there and watched Commander Fylk on top of a wodden stage, wood taken from the griffins. The stage had been built in the middle of the camp where anyone could use it if they had an announcement to make. Normally were only a few listening to whoever spoke at the stage, but every soldier in the camp was here. They all looked at the wolf-pony for answers and confirmations. I thought I saw my family for a second too, but I simply shrugged it off and hurried through the crowd. Father and mother could wait a few more minutes. I needed to know what Fylk had planned.
"Blood! That is what we have given to hold onto these lands as our own! We have fought against the heat and desert for years! We have forged our own path without any crowns or holy individuals! We need no Faust! Only the Sandwalker! We will be the nation where the people is ruled by the people! That is our dream! That is what we fight for!" Commander Fylk started, his raspy voice and large teeth not hindering the pride he felt as he looked upon us.
Many warriors among me cheered at his words. "A nation by the people for the people!" had been the motto to drive us forward. We had no desire to have the pony princesses govern us or that the bitch empress make us slaves. This land might be mostly dead, but it was our land. Guto and his soldiers wouldn't take it from us, not as long as we all still breathed.
"But our dream is threatened! For the Griffin King had declared war on the world!" Fylk said, the crowd quieting down.
"He had seen to it that the other monarchies will fall! The Dragon Lord is dead! As is the Changeling queen!" The wolf-pony continued and many in the crowd cheered.
I was surprised over the fact that the Dragon Lord had fallen. The dragons were majestic creatures that had only appeared in the dessert for gold or other valuable things. To hear that the King of Griffins had slain the leader of such a powerful race was disheartening, even if my brothers and sisters in arms didn't think so. But Guto had also slain the Queen of lies? How had the king across the sea killed such powerful beings? Through sheer numbers? Magical power like the unicorns or our shamans?
"But do not cheer for their deaths! Because they have kept the griffins at bay from our home! The other crowns have forced the Griffin King to stay across the sea! But now they fall one by one! Who do you think Guto will come for once he is done with the princesses and the Empress of Darkness?" Fylk called out and more mumbles in the crowd could be heard.
"This is why I have ordered you all to steal documents and report on what the griffins are doing. This war will eventually come to our land and we cannot face the full army of the griffins alone!" The mutant stated with a growl.
"We will take the fight to them! We will show both Guto and the crowns of the west that we are more than simple desert dwellers! And thanks to the paper you brought to me I know just how to attain the power we will need to face the mad king of the east!" He yelled out to us and held up a drawn image of a ship.
A few in the crowd were confused at what the picture was showing but I knew what the drawing depicted. Commander Fylk had talked about ships like he knew them well during my first mission with him. The older male had spoken about the ocean like he wanted to discover its depths and journey over it for eternity. It was a side the wolf-pony didn't show often, nor was ships a topic our leader liked to discuss. Even with the admiration in his voice over the wooden contraptions there was still something off when he spoke of them. It was like it both hurt and made him smile whenever someone asked him about the strange inventions.
"The griffins have made ships that can fly! They have the ability to now transport troops far into their enemy territory and wipe them out with magical means!" He called out to us, many looking horrified at the prospect of such a thing.
"One such ship has been sent here, meant to wipe us out if possible" Fylk then said and nervousness started to spread in the crowd.
With such a weapon above us what would we be able to do? Not many could fly among us, most mutants wings being either too large or too small. With a flying ship over our large camp we would never be able to run away. In the open dessert such a thing would spot us the same second we tried. If the Griffins had access to such equipment what could we do? We were warriors, good ones, but vert few could use magic. Besides, only the elders trained new mages. No one but them could usher in a new generation of magic users.
"And that is why we will steal it" Fylk finished his speach with a grin on his face, cheers spreading among the crowd. ¨
'Wait, what!?' I thought and starred slack-jawed at the Commander as the crowd cheered his name.
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Nathaniel's POV
It had been a couple of hours since the human had practiced the combat spell in the woods. After the disastrous results with Globus igneus had the man wanted to practice something easier. So when Nathan returned to camp, with Osiris nowhere to be seen, the teen simply practiced his illusion spells. Occultatum Korvaus and Occultatum Jende had saved the young man and his companions on the way back from Garthram, so perhaps they would be able to help them all now. The first spell was used to create illusions, like suddenly a goblet turning into a snake. The second spell was used to hide those things one didn't want others to see, like a knife.
With the two spells in his mind the human once again closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel the flow of his magic. The soldiers in the camp all read mostly the same if Nathan concentrated himself on them. "Bravery", "Strength" and "loyalty" often came up. The theme among the soldiers Nate had read was that they all exhibited characteristics that made them suitable for this life. Only a few didn't really fit in as "Fear" or "Selfishness" stood out on their soul. But the human couldn't care about all that now, he had studying to do.
Nate looked at an pegasus soldier further away eating an apple, the stallion absentmindedly watching the forest. The apple posed as a good test subject on whether or not the human would be able to use the spell in battle. So with another deep breath and calming thoughts the teen reached out with his hands towards the stallion and muttered the spell. While the Guardian did feel a bit bad about using the soldier's meal as a guinea pig he needed the victim to be unaware. Only true reactions would warrant if the mage had succeeded or not.
"Occultatum Korvaus" Nathaniel said, the rune on his right hand glowing a bright green.
The apple in the stallion's hoof suddenly turned to a rock, as the human had wanted. The stallion was about to take a bite when he noticed it, looking very confused. The pony had just wanted to eat his meal, now said meal had somehow turned into a rock. The pegasus looked around and noticed the teen but didn't say anything. Perhaps the stallion didn't want to question his superior officer or he was just curious of what the man would do next. Seeing as he was found out Nathan just continued with the next spell, hoping to quickly hide the apple as the soldier's attention was on now on him.
"Occultatum Jende" The man said and the apple turned rock was suddenly gone.
The soldier returned his gaze to the apple in his hoof only to look even more confused. The stallion would still be able to feel the weight of the apple, but he was unable to see it or smell it. With both spells having worked perfectly the human simply cut off his flow of mana and the apple reappeared. The pegasus gave him an uncertain nod and hurried off to finish his meal in peace. Perhaps training on the soldiers wasn't the best idea, but they were there to follow his command, right? So Nate could most likely true out a few spells on them, if said spells wouldn't hurt them that is.
"Guardian Sol! Guardian Osiris is looking for you! He said it was urgent!" A mare yelled from the end of the camp, Nathaniel nodding at her.
With his training session interrupted the man simply headed towards Osiris tent. The scout had put up a large simple green tent at the edge of the forward camp where he had given out tasks and stored ant documents sent to him from Rose. When Nate got there the stallion had a grim expression on his face and a bottle of liquor next to him. In his left hoof was a letter with the Equestrian army's stamp. An exhausted mare was resting on the ground just outside the tent, a saddlebag on her back with envelopes sticking out of it.
"What does it say?" Nathaniel asked cautiously as the other Lunar Guardian poured up a glass of liquor.
"Drink this first kid. It might make it easier or it might not change a damn thing, but I suggest drinking anyway" Osiris said and sighed.
With uncertainty the man took the glass and downed the liquor. It slightly stung his throat but wasn't even nearly as strong as Liquid Courage . What could the letter possibly say to make the normally relaxed stallion act so depressed? Nate had an inkling but quickly quieted down his paranoid mind. Luna had thousands or soldiers with her, if anything was she worried about him. The mare always did seem to out his well being before her own, something he liked about her. She was kind and compassionate.
"The coast has fallen.. Almost every soldier we sent there is dead or missing. Celestia and Luna are both missing, we do not if either of them are alive. The Arch Mage is also missing, but he is presumed alive. The General is presumed dead, as is Solar Guardians Minerva and Solstice" Osiris said solemnly.
The world froze for Nathaniel. It was like the earth pony in front of him was speaking in slow-motion. Luna was missing, Luna could be dead. The princesses had failed in defeating the griffins at the coast. They had lost. How had they been defeated? The griffins lacked magic right? Even with their overwhelming numbers would magic still even out the battlefield, right? All the thoughts that suddenly started to pop up in the man's head were just too much to handle. They might have killed Luna! Luna could be dead!
"Kid?" Osiris said to him, great concern in the stallion's voice.
"Sir! The griffins have made camp a few hours from here! We think it is another scout group!" A mare yelled and barged into the tent before noticing the tense air.
"Where.." Nathaniel asked darkly and looked to the mare.
"To the west Lord Sol. We think it might be over two hundred of them! We'll need more soldiers before we can attac.." She started only to shriek as Valkyire quickly flew over her head and into the waiting hand of Nathan.
Without another word the man left the tent with purposeful steps, anger written all over his face. The teen was gonna kill them, every last one of them! They dared to hurt Luna? They dared to invade this country and kill whatever they wanted? They would all burn under his wrath, they and all others who wished to harm them. This war had brought nothing but misery to all but the griffins, so maybe it was time they were shown what war was truly like.
"Nathaniel! Stop dammit!" Osiris voice cut through his thoughts, the stallion blocking his path.
"Get out of my way.." The human growled darkly and the pony scowled.
"Where are you going?" The scout asked him sternly, his brown eyes filled with anger.
"To kill those bastards!" Nathan yelled, not caring that many soldiers started to walk towards them.
"You cannot do that by yourself! If you simply rush into their camp you will die! Is that what Luna would have wanted you to do? Throw your life away!?" Osiris growled.
"They killed her! It doesn't matter if she's dead!" Nate screamed at the earth pony.
"We do not know that! I will not let you go, not alone and not like this" The stallion said and slammed his hoof into the ground.
"You can't command me! I am not some simple soldier or wild animal!" The human yelled at his friend and tried to walk around him.
"I am the only one who can command you! Me, Holy Light and Rose are the only senior Guardians left that can control the troops! You are one of us, or so you claim. So if you want me to view as a commander then act like one!" The pony said and once again got in the man's way.
"They have already taken Luna from me and now you want to take what little freedom I have left!?" Nathan yelled at the stallion, the soldiers looking horrified at the news of their princess.
"I have not taken anything! You agreed to come here! You wanted to be here! You willingly took on the mantel of a Guardian! Do not blame me for your regrets kid" Osiris growled and ducked under a punch from the human.
The two friends finally started to fight. Nathaniel dropped the war-hammer and tried to kick and punch the stallion. He was just so angry, so fed up with this world. It couldn't allow him to be happy for more than a few hours before throwing more shit his way. Luna had been one of the few contents in his new life, always there if he needed her. But if she was gone, if the griffins had killed her? What hope was left if not even Luna could stand against Guto? What hope was he supposed to feel when the world was burning around them?
Osiris easily dodged the angry human's punches and kicks. The stallion was levelheaded and focused, unlike his younger brother in arms. So when an opening presented itself the stallion swiftly tackled the human to the ground and held him down, Nate yelling and struggling to get up. He hated the feeling of not being able to do anything, of destiny's cruel hand given to him. The stallion wouldn't get off him no matter how much he struggled and soon he grew tired, simply giving up and resting his head on the ground.
"Are we done?" Osiris asked calmly and the teen nodded, the pony getting off him.
"I just want them to suffer for what they did.." Nathaniel mumbled and the stallion nodded.
"And they will. But we need time to prepare, time to gather the necessary items for an attack like this. With how close they are we don't have time to send for more soldiers. Rose wouldn't even have any to give. But I have a plan, if you will listen to me for five minutes I will give you your revenge" The earth pony told his friends who could only nod, looking around at the scared faces of soldiers as he did.
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The human threw himself under another tree branch, a loud roar echoing over the woods. Osiris had said the plan was simple, but this was just madness! The teen was forced to run once more as the sounds of trees falling got closer, the Manticore not too happy with the Lunar Guardian. Nate just hurried up and jumped over a log, readying a new arrow. With a swift turn Nathaniel shot the angry beast in its shoulder, making it roar once more. Considering that the monster seemed to get closer the angrier it got that didn't bode well.
"I hope those fucking pigeons like one ton of pissed off Manticore" He grumbled and ran straight through some sharp twigs, cutting his arms and face.
The Senior Lunar Guardian had a simple plan to deal with the griffins, use the forest against them. But that meant getting some sort of beast and not many of them would be willing to help out. So the stallion had settled for a Manticore lair and placed lures to get the monsters out of their homes. When five Manticores had suddenly rushed out looking rather pissed off they all bolted. Osiris had yelled to run for the griffin camp, which was some distance away. It didn't help that the night was steadily approaching as well. Nathaniel couldn't see in the dark, the Manticore could.
With a pant the human threw himself to the side as the monster leaped at him using its two bat-like wings. The man was successful with not getting eaten, but the paw of the beast still hit his side and sent him flying. Nathaniel hit a tree and rolled onto the ground with a groan. The black haired teen looked at the monster with a growl and quickly rolled out of the way as the beast jumped towards him once more. The tree the man had hit fell as the Manticore crashed into it, leaving another fallen trail in their wake.
With his opponent distracted for a second the human just ran for it, starting to see the forest growing less dense up ahead. To his surprise the man saw a mare running a few meter to his right, a Manticore trying to eat her as well. The soldier looked back and gave a shriek of fear as the beast suddenly picked her up with its paw. The mare was thrown into the air and the hybrid beast opened its mouth to catch her. Nathaniel acted quickly and slowed down his own running, sending a blast of magic into the monster's head. The other Manticore stumbled back and the pony landed on the ground with a groan of pain.
Before Nathaniel could do anything else were he once again sent flying by the massive paw of his pursuer. The human was sent straight few some bushes and rolled down a grassy hill, feeling blood trickling down his side. Nathan felt dizzy from the attack and tried to get up only to stumble a few meters. As the man looked up he realized an entire camp of griffins starred at him in surprise and shock.
"I brought you a gift" Nate grinned as the Manticore came running out of the bushes and roared.
The enemy camp erupted into chaos. Many soldiers ran for their weapons while others hurried to secure important documents. The mostly red tents that littered the camp stirred as the griffins soldiers rushed out to be faced with a monster from the woods. Yet as one Manticore suddenly ran for the tasty looking soldiers its four other brothers joined it, all of them rushing out from the Everfree.
The monsters tore the camp a new one, screams and angry orders sounding through-out the camp. A few griffins soldiers didn't even get time to react before they were crushed under the giant paw of the beast. The superior officers that commanded the camp yelled out orders to deal with the Manticores all the while their soldiers ran for dear life. A few griffins spotted Nathaniel however and ran for him with angry battle-cries, the human drawing the sword from his side.
The first griffon's blade met his own as the enemy soldiers tried hit his side. The man simply pushed the griffon backwards and used Solaris Mico , the winged creature blinded along with the others that had tried to attack him. Nate used the opening given to him and buried the sword deep into the chest of the first griffon and then kicked a second one in the face. By now were pony soldiers running into the camp, using the chaos to kill as many feeling griffins as possible. Osiris was nowhere to be seen but the other soldiers presence was easy to spot.
"Lord Sol! Guardian Osiris ordered me to deliver this to you!" A stallion's voice called out to Nathan who sliced open the throat of another griffon warrior.
Nathaniel turned aorund and was greeted to the sight of a pony stallion throwing Valkyrie his way, the teen catching the war-hammer with his left hand. Without the time to sheet the sword Nathan simply used both weapons the best he could. Valkyrie was used whenever the group of soldiers around him grew too big and the sword was simply used to block incoming strikes or deliver quick jabs. Duel wielding was not something the man had trained in and doing it for the first time in the middle of a battle maybe wasn't the best idea.
Without Nathaniel noticing had the battle moved into the camp, blood staining the ground. Tents had fallen everywhere around them and the Manticores had killed many griffins in their first attack. But the monsters were starting to grow afraid, the griffins trapping and killing one of them. With his companions slowly loosing their advantage Nathan just ran for it, hurrying to join up with more pony soldiers. Griffins either manged to cut him or was cut down as the human ran across the battlefield, smelling the strong scent of ash in the air.
A few tents had caught on fire in the panic and it was quickly spreading through out the camp. The commander's were still yelling orders from somewhere, dressed in their silver and blue armor. Seeing how much chaos had already been created was it an easy decision for Nate to run towards the griffon soldier. If the the commander were one of the few keeping it all together he would need to go.
'His death is necessary' The human reminded himself and blocked the incoming strike from a hippogriff.
The man quickly pushed the hippogriff back with Valkyrie which sent the creature tumbling through the dirt. Considering that the the commander was so busy with screaming at his troops the man almost felt bad for his death, almost. Seeing hos many griffins were around the commander it meant that close combat could be inefficient, so an arrow it was. The man grabbed the bow that had been hanging on his back and then arrow from his side. With a deep breath the Lunar Guardian let go of the projectile and it soared through the air, hitting the griffin commander in the throat.
The enemy leader fell dead and many soldiers now followed suit without any guidance. Most griffins finally just fled into the woods, only to be stopped by pony soldiers waiting to ambush them. The remaining leaders among the griffins tried to contine the fight only to be captured or cut down by the pony forces. They had won. They had driven back the griffins, even if it would only remain so a little while.
After making sure that no griffins remained in the woods the human simply grabbed one of the bound captains and threw him onto the dirt. Nathaniel needed answers to what had happened at the coast, of what had happened to Luna. Osiris joined him, covered in dirt and blood. The scout just watched the man, waiting for him to pry information from the griffon's head.
"What happened last night? What happened to the princesses?" Nate asked with a growl and the overgrown pigeon laughed.
"King Guto has wiped out what pathetic resistance your nation would put up! We destroyed two of your cities with technology your kind invented! If we didn't kill the princess I am certain our boys are having their fun with them" The captain taunted.
Nathaniel gave the griffin a cold dark look and suddenly with angry yell snapped the captain's neck. The evil bastard had dared to say such a thing!? Osiris jumped back in shock and looked at his friend in horror, as did the griffin prisoners they had taken. The anger and rage seemed to just drain out of the man and he looked at the now dead in griffon in disbelief. Had he just done that? No, that couldn't have been him. Nathan just slowly backed away and fell to his knees, placing his hands over his face.
"Kid.." The southern stallion said slowly and looked at the human as Nathaniel started to cry.
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Author's Note
Thank you for reading chapter 22! My god I'm loopy! I feel like I'm so tired it feels like I'm flying through space. Anyway tell me what you thought in the comments below. I have finally hit the point where all my pre-planned chapters have now been finished, meaning I'm gonna be exploring what will happen next. I might not be entirely sure of what will happen next, but I have a direction at least.
I also hope that Nathaniel isn't a Gary Stu. I do not want to be another writer who spawns a Ma-Rey Sue into existence. So if you ever think I'm making my characters a little too perfect let me know.
Anyway have a good night.
Chapter Twenty-three: The angel's guilt
Celstia's POV
Everything hurt. I was screaming but I couldn't hear it, it was like somepony had made me deaf. My eyes were scrunched shut in pain and my breathing was erratic. What had happened? Where was I? I remembered a green light and then screaming from my soldiers. After that it was all darkness and pain. I tried to open my eyes only for a bright white light to invade my vision. I hissed and quickly looked away seeing the outline of a pony. Was I safe? Had my soldiers carried me from the battlefield?
I slowly started to retain my hearing, yells and orders coming all around me. But even as they yelled it still sounded a bit muted, like there was a door between me and them. I tried to move only for a pain to flare up along my back and legs, making me scream. I felt hooves hold me down and I trashed against them, more pain flaring up in my body. I needed to see what had happened to me. Everything was pain, something was wrong. I tried to fight against the ponies holding me down but finally the pain won. I laid down and breathed hard, tears running down my eyes.
I screamed as pain once again flared up all over my back. It was like somepony had buried a knife in my flesh and was slowly dragging it from my shoulders to my flank. I tried to move my wings in an attempt to fight them off but it only resulted in more pain. Was I still wearing my armor? Why hadn't they removed my armor yet? The heavy piece of equipment wasn't meant to be worn like this. Not with its user so badly damaged.
I could smell blood and alcohol all around me. With my blurry vision I could make out a mare dressed in white robes holding a scalpel with her hooves. Just what had happened after Guto's flying ship attacked? All those buildings that fell. All those families that had been hiding inside. It had been a massacre for every side that day. How long ago had it even been since the battle? A couple of days? Weeks? I couldn't even make out who was working on me, so why did the day matter. All that mattered to me in that moment was the pain.
The mare in robes seemed skilled enough in her work, moving around just out of my line of sight and doing something. I was laying on a bed it seemed, but it was red from all the blood. I needed to know how bad it all was. If I would be met with a couple of scars and a cracked spine I'd be grateful. But the amount of pain coursing through my veins spoke differently. Something much worse had happened.
"..er back!" A mumbled voice said from my right, a voice I recognized.
"Star Swirl?" I whimpered out, my voice broken and my lips covered in dried blood.
"Sleep my dear student" He said, his form blurry and unclear.
"Where is Luna?.." I asked as I felt my mind drift away, sleep taking me.
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Nathaniel's POV
Nathan coughed as more of the strong liquor flooded his throat. The human had been drinking for for a couple of hours g to already, trying to drone out the sounds of soldiers whispering and the griffin prisoners complaining. The man was trying to forget what had taken place the day before. He had just snapped. One second all he could see was red and the next he was starring at a corpse. The griffon had been unarmed and bound. The enemy captain hadn't been a threat to him at the time and had held important information. But it had just been so quick. With a sudden twist of the griffon's head he was dead.
Nate felt guilt, disgust and horror the second he realized what he'd done. But it was not for the death of the captain, even if it played a part in it. No, he felt those things because in the moment Nathaniel killed the griffon he'd felt satisfaction. Nathan had enjoyed killing the unarmed enemy. It had made him feel so unclean, like his hands were tainted. Why had he done it? For Luna? That surely played a part in it but it was not the sole reason. Deep down Nate knew why he had done it. He had wanted the captain dead. What a horrible truth to admit, to wanting someone dead. In that moment of anger had Nathaniel Sol disappeared, replaced with something else.
A soldier passed the human's small tent and quickly hurried past, worried their commander might snap again. Nathan simply chugged down more liquor and looked over the camp around him. Were they all afraid of him now? Had his act of killing that one griffon turned him into a monster in their eyes? Even Osiris looked at him differently after that act, like he had betrayed his trust or something. Fucking hell he needed more to drink.
Nate swallowed what was left in the bottle and threw it onto a pile with two other liquor bottles. The griffins had a tendency to get him drinking these days. Maybe the human was drinking even more due to the new guests that had been dragged to the forward camp. The prisoners had been put in wooden cages and were guarded by a couple of guards, all of which eyed the griffin soldiers with contempt. The cages were placed at Nathaniel's end of the large camp, built rather quickly by the few unicorns that were still left.
The prisoners were complaining and trying to break out of their cages, yet with a quick few spells or threatening gestures from the pony soldiers were the acts of rebellion silenced. It was funny to the human how quickly the seemingly large and prideful warriors just covered as they saw magic. Perhaps they feared it without their armor or they just didn't like the idea of being blasted with bolts of the mystical energy.
As Nathan got up and stumbled out from his tent were the prisoners once again trying to break out. But once the griffins saw the human glaring their way they all quieted down. One of the soldiers guarding the wooden cages gave Nate a thankful if cautious nod and continued on with her duty. Perhaps Nathaniel should've been guarding the prisoners as they seemed to fear him. But Osiris had forbidden him from touching the prisoners, or even get close to them for that matter.
His vision was slightly blurry as he stumbled towards the supply wagon, hoping to grab another bottle of liquor. The sounds of the camp were a bit quiet but mostly it seemed like the pony soldiers were in high spirits. Or at least they were until the human walked by, conversations quieting down and ponies looking uncertain how to act. Did they bow or turn away in disgust? Should they approve of the Lunar Guardian's actions or condemn him for killing an unarmed enemy? Nate just wanted them to simply stop thinking about it and give him some damn alcohol.
The three bottles of liquor had already taken their toll on the human, as his mind was a bit slower than usual. It seemed like sounds were muted at times or coming from illogical places. Nathan stumbled a bit as he walked and tried his best to not look hammered. They were expecting a Guardian, a warrior who could protect the princesses without breaking a sweat. They got a drunk sad teenager who desperately wished he could turn back time. Nate really needed more to drink and then some sleep.
When the human reached the supply wagon was it guarded by a couple of soldiers. They spotted him and gave each other worried glances but didn't outright run away in fear. Great, that meant they could give him some more liquor. What was even the alcohol called? It wasn't liquid courage but tasted damn similar. Maybe the same company had made it. But towards the end of the day it didn't matter what it was called, only that it would get him drunk. So when the man was suddenly stopped by one of the ponies in his path Nathan groaned in annoyance.
"Just let me take some more" The human said and tried to push away one of the stallion's in his path.
"No Guardian Sol. Senior Guardian Osiris have ordered us to keep you away from the liquor and we intend to do so" The soldier said, his other friends swallowing nervously.
"I killed one guy! For fucks sake I'm not a hydra or a timberwolf!" The man yelled at them with a growl, the ponies backing away in fear.
Nathaniel looked at them and sighed before backing away from the wagon. It seemed that his free storage of liquor had been cut off by the commanding officer. Maybe Osiris was justified in doing so, but it still stung. The teen thought about stumbling back towards his tent but deep down he didn't want to be alone. Blaze was out in the woods hunting for food and the wolf wouldn't be back for a couple of hours at least. So that only left Osiris and the other soldiers in the camp. Considering that the pony warriors didn't seem to be comfortable around him that meant Osiris was his only hope at not feeling like shit for a couple of minutes.
So with a clear goal in his head the drunken teenager headed towards the other end of the camp. Osiris' tent was filled with documents from the griffin camp when the human got there, the tent's owner looking through most of them for any important information. When the golden coated stallion spotted his drunk friend a sigh escaped from his lips, annoying the already distraught and moody teen. By what right could Osiris judge him? If it had been him standing by the captain he would have done the same thing!
"You're not getting any more liquor kid. I'm not gonna have you start a fight with somepony or stumble out into the woods" The stallion stated and the human growled.
"Please just let me.." The human slurred and the stallion shook his head.
"Go back to your tent and sober up Nathaniel. I need to look through all of this and write a report on yesterday's events" The Lunar Guardian responded with a downcast look.
Nathan closed his fists in anger and took a step towards the stallion, Osiris giving him a blank stare. With what self-control the man had left he simply stepped out of the tent, muttering swears and curses directed at the pony. He stumbled back towards his tent, seeing a few mares looking his way. They didn't look frightened or afraid. If anything were the group watching him with awe. Had they never seen him before? Nate lived in a tent right in the middle of the camp! For some reason the group parted as another mare broke through their ranks.
The pony had one of her legs in a cast with bandages wrapped around her torso and head. Nate knew he had seen her before but the teen didn't know from where or when. When she smiled his way and limped towards him the human felt uncomfortable. Why was she suddenly interested in him? Had the Guardian done her wrong as well? The smile seemed to indicate differently but the man could always be wrong. It didn't take the mare long to reach her superior officer and she embraced his midsection.
"You saved my life Lord Sol. Thank you" She said and it clicked for the human.
The mare currently hugging him had been the same soldier the Manticore had been chasing. It seemed Nathaniel's distraction the beast had worked and it had been chased away from the downed soldier. The mare gave him another smile and a bow before heading back to her friends, the ponies of the camp looking at him a bit differently. Maybe it wasn't too late to salvage his reputation and morals just yet.
With a newfound determination the man headed towards the other Lunar Guardian's tent once more. Nathaniel just wanted to talk, to smooth things over. Nate felt like shit after what had happened, maybe he was just like them. But the thought had been quickly dismissed from his mind. The teen just wanted to speak with Osiris and make him understand just how guilty the act had made the human feel. So with a deep breath the man stumbled back towards the tent and entered, hoping to lighten the burden weighing down on his shoulders.
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Prince Tyr's POV
"Over twenty-thousand dead! Father that is not acceptable! That is not a sacrifice you're allowed to make!" I yelled at the older griffon, the king rolling his eyes.
My head still hurt since the attack. I remember the screaming, how the canons roared to life. The bandage around my head was no longer covered in blood, but it still hurt nonetheless. With how angry I was getting it would only be a matter of seconds before the headache came back. My father just seemed to be in a rather dark mood today, his eyes holding no light as I mentioned our dead soldiers.
"I am the only one capable of making that decision" He growled and turned to the large window behind him.
"Father you sacrificed so many! For what!? To kill two high ranking ponies!? Do you think the soldiers will just accept that!?" I screamed and was pushed back by an unseen force.
"To kill THE most high ranking ponies in their army along with their forces. I knew their hearts were to weak to leave their cities under my rule, predictable as always. Predictable just like your reaction son. The soldiers obey me no matter what, even if that means death awaits them. If they do find death on the battlefield then that is a good death" The griffon king mused and I growled.
"A good death? Cut down as blood and rock became one!? War is bad enough father but this is just evil!" I finally yelled and gave off a choked breath as my father's talon was suddenly around my throat.
"Do not test me child. You are to inherit my throne one day, so you better watch and learn how one acts in a war. That soft heart of yours will harden with time thankfully, you are made out of stronger stuff than our enemies" The mad king said as his eyes glowed a bright yellow, my vision becoming blurry and my lungs crying for oxygen.
"Father.." I choked out and beat my talon against his.
I kicked with my legs and tried to hit him with my wings but nothing work. The grip he held around my throat wouldn't let up no matter how much I tried to beat him away. The strength he showcased was unnatural, as my father was already dressed in his heavy golden plated armor. The weight of the armor alone should have made it hard to pick me up, yet he had done it without breaking a sweat. I felt the world slip away just as I was let go from his iron grip. I landed on the wooden floor and couched violently, looking up at terrified eyes of my father. The glow was gone, even if it was just for a second.
"Go to your quarters Tyr. You are not to be on deck during the next bombardment" Father said and slammed his talon into the floor, two guards walking inside.
"Who are you?.." I questioned sadly as the two griffins stared to drag me away.
"I am your king" My father responded with a tired look and then once more turned to the window.
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The door was locked behind me as I was lead into my quarters. The guards didn't seem to hold any sympathy nor care about everything. How could they all act so blind? How could all of them not mourn the unnecessary death of thousands? Father was wrong about me. I could stomach war, I could fight a battle. But I couldn't stomach the unnecessary slaughter of civilians and our own soldiers. Had those warriors just accepted those orders without question? To stand there and simply slow the pony army down long enough for my father to arrive? Had they truly accepted death so willingly?
I remembered when I heard the alarm. I had been asleep when the Ygrid arrived on Equestrian soil, but that didn't last long. I had jumped out of bed and grabbed a sword when the annoying bleeping sound had been activated on the ship. It indicated battle, so in a last attempt at avoiding a catastrophe I ran through the long narrow hallways of the ship to talk some sense into father. This machine of war did not belong in the talons of the mortal races! My father might be vengeful but even he had to realize that!
When I got above deck was the smoke and smell almost enough to make me puke. The very large deck of the Ygrid was filled with griffins running around arming the canons made from sky-metal. The weapons that had been built especially for the flying fleet were huge, their barrel one meter in diameter with the canon itself and its stand being over to three meters in height. If it wasn't for the knowledge that they could wipe out the lives of hundreds if mere minutes I would've been impressed.
The smoke that filled the sky had come from the burning city below, the sounds of battle even audible to us one hundred and fifty meters up. I knew the captain was using the smoke as a coverage to hide our entrance for the pony troops, my father always did like hitting the enemy when they least expected it. It was then I saw my father by one of the canons on the ship, overlooking the battle below. I ran for him and stopped at his side, grabbing his shoulder.
"Father this is madness! Those canons are to powerful to be tested on a city! Thousands of civilians will die!" I yelled and he scowled.
"I do not care for their kind son and neither should you. It's their blood that has weakened you" The king said accusingly and I growled.
"Our soldiers are still down there! You cannot fire those canons!" I said but he simply shrugged me off.
"Fire. The princess must be at the city center by now" My father said with glee and the griffon holding the lever to the canon nodded.
"No!" I yelled and threw myself at the soldier, knocking him away from the controls.
If any of those levers were pulled then so many would die! I couldn't allow it, I wouldn't allow it. I grabbed my blade only for something metallic to hit me in the back of my head. I dropped the sword and fell to the floor, darkness swimming over my vision. The last thing I remembered was the disappointed look my father gave me as the light of the magical canon fire lit up his face.
I had been unconscious for over two days when I woke up again. My head was wrapped in a bandage and I was watched by a griffon medic. I had demanded to speak with my father instantly which had led to him strangling me, his own son. I only felt cold as I remembered the events of the battle, the battle we "won" according to father. We might have won that battle, but at what cost? Thousands of our own dead just to stall for time? Equally as many pony civilians from the canon fire alone? All that was left in that city's wake was ruins!
It hadn't been better for the other city we'd occupied. With the Flag Ship flying over the skies here there was no need for the rest of the fleet, meaning they bombarded the other city. Only equipped with two canons each were the smaller brig sized flying ships not as much as a threat as the Ygrid , but they still held the same destructive power as it in a group. Five of them were in Equestria while one had been sent of to the south to wipe out the mutant tribes. I had vocally opposed the idea of killing even more civilians for the crimes of a few, but my father's decision stood set in stone.
I didn't know if the Solar princess was still alive after the blast delivered upon Fillydelphia. The ground had been torn apart and buildings had fallen in its wake. I could still imagine every soldiers and civilian stuck in the city as the blast hit, afraid as the giant green blasts of magic tearing everything apart around them. Had they even said goodbye to their loved ones? Had they gotten a chance to see anything but terror and despair? I didn't know and that hurt a lot.
I still remembered my father before this toxic dream of a war. He had been a calm and stoic griffon quick to anger, but never seen prone to actually go through with his old promise of a war. The image of my father slowly choking me flashed before my eyes and I wondered when that had changed. When had my father become King Guto? When had I lost what parental figure I could somewhat look up to? Maybe he had never been there in the first place, and that stung. I sighed and looked out the window when I heard something from the door behind me. I turned around and noticed a paper not having been slid under the door frame.
"Hello?" I called out, but got no response.
I slowly made my way to the note and picked it up using my talon. The top of it bore the mark of a single feather followed by a small text. The note seemed to be made out of older paper, like the whoever had gotten their talons on it was poor. But it was what the small paper note said that made me feel confused, the information given to me seeming very strange. Why would anyone give me something like this? Or a even better question: Who would be brave enough to give it to me?
Master Tyr. We have been watching your attempts to convince the mad king to stop this war, a noble and selfless act. But it will not work. Your father has gone mad in the last few months, acting like the warlords of old that used to rule our nation. We will offer you a choice, a chance to help us set things right. With the Ygrid now moving towards Canterlot it means your father is planning to wipe out the pony capital. If this were to occur, if your father would win this war, then many more of our brothers and sisters will die. The twenty-thousand on the coast is only the beginning. If you truly value the lives and safety of your people and the innocent in this crisis then you will find us in the cargo-hold at midnight two days from now. As the Flag Ship will not reach Canterlot before that time you have time to think. We will not condemn you if you refuse to betray your father, but we put our trust in you.
Signed: The Griffonian Feathers
I looked at the note for a long time before throwing it into the fireplace father had installed in my room. I would not mention to the guards that I had been given the note, but I was uncertain if I would comply with these "Griffonian Feathers". Despite everything I loved my father. I could still remember sitting in his lap as a child when he read me old legends of heroes and villains, how he had made me crown prince despite my mixed blood. There was a good griffon in there I knew it. But as I looked out over the burned and dead landscape below I wondered if that was enough anymore.
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Nathaniel's POV
Osiris gave him a tired look when the human entered the tent. Nathaniel sat down on a chair and looked at the floor, biting his lip. What should he say? The stallion probably expected an apology of sorts and maybe he wasn't wrong for craving one. Guilt wasn't good enough to make up for one's mistakes, it took action to prove to someone that you were truly sorry for what you had done. So how did you apologize for murder? The human had walked into the tent thinking he knew the answer to that question but when push finally come to show it turned out Nate had no idea where to begin.
"I'm sorry.." He said, not letting his eyes leave the ground.
What exactly was he sorry for? For killing the enemy captain? For enjoying it? For getting drunk and acting like an ass? Maybe he was just sorry in general. Sorry he couldn't protect Luna, sorry he had disappointed his friends, sorry he had acted without thinking. It hurt knowing he'd done wrong, to admit to his faults. Nathaniel simply hoped that he would learn from the mistake he'd already made, that Osiris wouldn't look at him strangely anymore or that the soldiers wouldn't fear him.
"No. I am sorry kid" The pony responded with a sigh and sat down on his own chair.
"What?" Nathan asked and looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.
"I sent a child into battle. A child with enough power to tame a dragon if he so wished. You're a kid Nathaniel, which you should know by now. You are not meant to be fighting in a war or make decisions about life and death. But fate thinks otherwise and have thrown you into this path" Osiris started and the human nodded at his words.
"Thank yo.." Nate started only for the stallion to put up his hoof.
"Let me finish. While I understand what pressure we have put on you it doesn't excuse your behavior, just like it wouldn't excuse the behavior of any other soldier. But we are at war, so I do not have the time nor the will to put you trough some trial over one death. I want you to remember this mistake kid and to not repeat it. I have seen enough of my friends become blood hungry monsters thanks to battle, I do not want to see that happen to you" The stallion stated and the human nodded slowly.
"I won't do such a thing again. I enjoyed it Osiris and I never want to find joy in killing others again" Nathaniel said solemnly.
"That makes you wiser than most Guardian Sol. Many in this camp wouldn't have thought twice about killing him if they were honest with themselves. Many of them would have relished in that enjoyment, letting it feed them so they could commit terrible things. That is a chain, a chain of anger and hatred. We can only be truly free in this war if we do not find it enjoyable in killing each other just for the sake of killing" The stallion said and then handed Nate a letter.
"What's this?" The man asked his friend and looked over the letter.
"A message from Rose telling us that five-thousand ponies has marched into the Everfree. The princesses backup soldiers never got a chance to join their side before the coast was lost. This means that they are under our command and that we just got an army of our own" The golden coated pony said and stabbed a knife at the eastern Everfree.
"Does that mean?.." The teen said hopefully and stood up from his chair, looking at the combines forces available to them.
"Yes it does kid. It means were driving these chickens out of the woods once and for all" The stallion growled.
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Rose Thorn's POV
I ducked under the griffon's sword and stabbed one of my many knives into his neck. The enemy soldiers gurgled and grabbed a hold of his throat as I removed the blade, allowing me to kick him into a tree. They didn't seem to want to give up no matter how many we killed. It was annoying with how persistent they were, not just running away when they had the chance to. But if they wanted death they could have it. I just kept cutting down soldier after soldier that came in my way, using my smaller size and speed to get around their numbers and weapons. I spotted their commander frantically shouting orders before giving off a shriek of fear, being eaten by the Ursa Minor we had found in a cave nearby.
Using the monsters in the woods against the foreigners was a good idea. Osiris plan with the Manticores had worked out just fine, as had our plan with using the Ursa Minor. The forest itself seemed to hate presence of the griffins, for which I didn't blame it. They didn't exactly make the woods feel more alive. I saw a captain shouting orders in a final attempt to rally his soldiers against us and win the battle. I wouldn't allow it.
Quick as the wind I rushed over the battlefield, taking a hit from an arrow into my shoulder. I screamed in pain but kept going, my left leg making the injury worse as I ran. When I approached the captain were the two soldiers closet to him alarmed over my presence and tried to shot me with their arrows. I swiftly grabbed two knives from my belt and threw them at the soldiers. One of the soldiers dove out of the way from my throw while the other one landed on his back with the blade having pierced his chest. The way open to the captain was open and I ran for him, pulling out my short-sword from my side with my wing. The griffin pulled out his own blade and we locked swords, glaring at each other.
"You and your kind bows to King Guto now demon!" The griffon growled and pushed me backwards.
"I'm no demon" I growled and quickly hit him with quick jabs and strikes from my sword.
For several minutes we exchanged blows and curses, but it was clear the griffon was the better when it came to fighting with swords. I had earned myself many cuts and injuries while my opponent was barely fazed by my attempt at fighting him off. I was good with knives and decent with a sword, but it stood clear that the griffon had trained for longer than me. I just hissed at him and kept up my slashes his way, the arrow in my shoulder hurting like all Tartarus. I needed a distraction, so I whistled loudly and another sanguine mare slammed into the captain's side.
My old squad had been assigned to me along with all the other soldiers. They had been happy to fight at my side again and I could only feel the same. As my comrade bit into the back of the griffon, making him scream in pain, I dashed forward and bit into his neck. The struggle only lasted for a second before he died, blood covering my mouth as I let his body hit the floor. Cheers erupted among my soldiers as the last griffins ran or flew away, trying to escape from us. I simply let the pegasi and scouts hunt after them as I sat down and caught my breath.
The griffin camp had been standing to the north, discovered by one of our scout group. It was thanks to their quick reports that we could move our soldiers up to the enemy territory and fight them off. The camp had been filled with over a hundred griffins before the battle, now very few remained. Yet I spotted ponies among the dead as well, sighing deeply for myself. We lost more and more while it seemed like our enemies never ran out of resources. The coast had fallen, but that didn't mean we couldn't protect the farmland and villages further into the country. But to do that would we need to drive out the griffins from the Everfree, which seemed impossible at first.
When suddenly a commander walked into camp asking where his five-thousand soldiers could sleep I felt relief once more. With the added number did we stand a chance in completing our mission and moving on to help the rest of the nation. The ponies of Equestria needed us, but we were being too damn slow. I groaned and held my bleeding shoulder as a medic hurried to my side, starting to tend to the wound. Even with the added numbers would the griffins still put up a fight before they would give up the idea of a quick way for their soldiers to reach Canterlot.
Many had asked me if fighting for the woods was even worth it considering the griffins held flying ships now. But I was adamant that we needed to drive out our enemy from the woods. The largest ship moved slowly if my reports were to be believed, so that meant we still had time. But it was more then just a time constraint, as soldiers would probably move faster through the woods had they a clear way through. We could not leave our flank exposed to possible enemies if we went to fight Guto, which meant we were forced to clear out Everfree first.
I smiled as I watched the soldiers mend each others wounds and round up prisoners, seeing hope in their eyes. With the amount of griffin camps we had raided and scout patrols we had killed it was only a matter of time before the large force came running through the trees. The question now was when? They had knew we were here and they must see us as having less numbers. So were simply biding time? Maybe waiting on one of those ships? If that was the case then we needed to act first. I would not loose this war, not when Luna counted on us.
I sighed as I thought about the princess and I just hoped she wasn't hurt. I knew the possibility of her being dead, of the possibility that the griffins had killed her. But I choose to ignore it. I kept up hope about her survival in Baltimare, even if the chances were slim. I just needed some guidance now when I could no longer send or receive letters from my sister. Poor Lucid was stuck in a city under Griffin occupation, probably wondering if I was even alive. I wanted to see her again, to hug her close and tell her I love her. But that would be forced to wait until after the final battle. Duty came first, even if it stung.
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Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I felt the wind grab a hold of my mane as the Spellbinder cruised across the sky. The smaller ship had earned us a lot of time as it quickly crossed the sea in a day. The desert currently far below us didn't seem to change much in appearance but I knew better than to assume we weren't moving. Spectral Vision had been checking over the two sails that stuck out on each side of the ship as we had travelled, making sure they could catch enough wind to move us forward. The balloon above us had been reinforced with a magic spell thanks to the ship's captain, a blue shimmer around it indicating a shield. With the time they had was the work the zebras had done amazing. Now we just needed to get to the North in time.
"My Lord" Violet said and walked up beside me, eyeing the dragons that had followed us.
"Commander" I responded and eyed the landscape.
"Do you think it was a good idea taking the dragons with us? They are getting agitated that we haven't brought them to the human yet" She said and I sighed.
"We need their protection in case we would run into one of these flying ships the griffins have created. I am certain that none of them can face the might of this many dragons" I told her confidently and the mare nodded slowly.
"Is just that they killed the Dragon Lord with those ships Sir. I think we need to be more cautious" The commander stated and I nodded.
"I understand your worry, but we simply do not have the time to be cautious. We need to get the aid of the Northern Armies now and that requires speed, not stealth" I said with a huff.
"As you wish Lord Protector. But know that they followed you because of the promise that they would be lead by the human. If they think you have lied to them or is stalling for time they'll grow angry" Violet said and headed below deck.
My second in command spoke the truth of course. I knew that our current allies were here for the human, not me. I could allow them to search after him once we arrived on Equestrian soil, but that would leave the Spellbinder more exposed. The weapons had never been tested as we were running out of time and Spectral was learning how to control the ship as we travelled. If we met one of those flying ships without the dragons then we'd most likely die.
I sighed and waved private Minted Surprise over to me, the young stallion hurrying over. The private had been very helpful since we set out on this journey, always following orders. I could see a bit of myself in him, back when I signed up to the army. Had he signed up for the same reasons? To impress a family member? To defend the nation that had given him a chance at life? Maybe he had simply signed up because he wanted to legally own weapons. Either way, it was time to give the private a reward for his service.
"Yes my Lord? Is it something you need?" Minted asked me, looking nervous.
"Kneel Private Surprise" I said and the pony complied, bowing his head and bending one of his front legs.
"How long have you served with me?" I asked him.
"A few months my Lord" He responded and I smiled.
"Have you ever broken one of my orders or endangered the life of your comrades?" I said, letting my gaze lay upon his head.
"No sir!" The private responded and I grinned.
"And you took the oath to serve and protect our country, no matter the cost?" I finally asked and he looked up.
"Yes sir!" He said respectfully and I nodded.
"Then stand tall and proudly Corporal Surpise, for you will serve Equestria as more than a common soldier" I told him and his eyes shone up in shock.
I could see Spectral watching us from the helm, a soft smile on the stallion's muzzle. He hadn't smiled since I asked him to leave Orchid behind, always looking serious or down. Maybe he was finally getting over our spat in the snow. Maybe my magic specialist would be able to focus on the future now. Broken Orchid was still alive, waiting for us in Canterlot. I would just need him to hold out for a few more weeks. Soon we would reign vengeance upon Guto and all those who followed him, on that I swore.
"Violet! Minted was just promoted!" Spectral shouted and the mare hurried up from the hatch.
"I knew you were gonna promote the kid" She grinned at me and suddenly hugged a very confused Minted.
"I can't call him private forever" I said and went below deck as my commander started to question the new corporal.
I looked at the rows of canons that had been installed on each side of the ship. The weapons would collect magic from the air and the expel it as a great blast. Or at least that is what Star Swirl's notes had told us when we read through them. The old wizard had all kinds of strange machines written down on the papers given to Spectral and most of them were to complex for me to understand. Even the idea of a flying ship had been absurd until the Arch Mage had made it possible, yet that was not the only strange invention he'd been drawing on. Projectile weapons like the canons but small enough to hold in your hooves, portable magic shields that any pony could use and something that spat fire was only a couple of the many inventions abandoned by Star Swirl.
Why would the old stallion ever leave all of his creations behind? With all this equipment we would have easily pushed back the griffins and set Guto's fleet ablaze. Maybe the princesses had requested him to stop making the weapons, but that wouldn't make any sense. The princesses were opposed to war but not fools, such weapons would have easily won us the respect of the dragons and scared off potential enemies. If we would have had such weapons during the Discord crisis then we would have had problems with bandits or rouge nations.
I sighed and let my mind drift away from the blueprints and back to the war. We needed to convince both the Minotaurs and the Yaks that fighting by our side would be worth it. I didn't know if they would listen to me, if they held any loyalty to our nation. But they needed to realize fact, that the griffins wouldn't stop with just Equestria. Guto was mad enough to start a war with the world and such an action would not leave the Northern nations unaffected.
As I watched the sand dunes pass under us from one of the windows I could only feel worried. The ravens had stopped coming back when we sent them to Equestria, most likey shot down by griffin archers. That meant the enemy had gained enough ground to intercept our messages, which made me feel no little amount of dread. I prayed to whatever gods would listen that Guto was still at the coast and had left the rest of my nation alone. But the closer we got to our goal the more I didn't believe in that hope. I felt like if we didn't get aid for our country in the coming weeks that everything we had fought for would be lost.
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Luna's POV
I pulled on the chains and struggled to break free, but it was no use. I didn't have the strength to break through the metal and for some reason wouldn't my magic work. I didn't know when they had found me or who had been foolish enough to take me prisoner but I swore to bathe the planet with his blood if I ever saw him. They had killed so many of my citizens, torn up two cities and destroyed our army just to get to me and my sister. I had been an idiot to allow myself to be lured so easily into Guto's trap, but I could do nothing about it now.
The cell I found myself in was rather large, like it was originally meant to hold several prisoners. The floor was made from wood as was the walls, yet they were quite sturdy. I had kicked the the seemingly weak material several times and not gotten any results except for an aching leg. So I had to be in a well made prison of sorts, yet I knew there existed no such place like this on the Equstrian coast. We used stone to build our prisons, not wood. The cell door was a few meters in front of me with a barred window letting in some light. The griffins had put me on one of their ships maybe, but why?
"Ah, you're awake" A male voice called out and the cell door opened, revealing the white feathered griffon captain.
"Steelbeak.." I growled and pulled on my chains in an attempt to get to him.
"Now now, we wouldn't want to anger King Guto" The griffon said with a grin and entered the cell.
"Where have you taken me you bastard!" I yelled in anger.
"You're on the Supremacy my dear princess, one of our great king's strongest assets. I can assure you that your soldiers fought to keep my boys away from you, even if it was in vain" The captain said and walked up to my chained form.
"Personally I would have killed you, but the king had other plans. So I cannot kill you, but he said nothing about torture" The griffon growled and slapped me across the face.
"May the void swallow you whole" I spat and glared defiantly at my captor.
"You still got some fight you. Good, Nemo likes the feisty ones" He grinned and whistled loudly.
A large griffon walked into the cell with a table of different tools being carried in behind him by a couple of guards. He grinned at me and gave a nod to the white feathered griffon who backed away from me. I pulled on my chains harder as I saw my torturer grab a vile filled with some strange liquid and a blade. I was gonna kill every last one of them, I would have the very heavens rain fire upon their nation!
"Get the location of their remaining soldiers out of her. King Guto is not happy with our failures in the woods" The captain said and left the cell, leaving me behind with the larger griffon.
'Nathan, please stay safe' I thought as I glared at the griffin griffon coming closer and closer.
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Author's Note
And there you have it! Chapter 23! The war isn't won just yet by the griffins, Celestia is injured and Nathaniel has hope ones more! Thank you for reading the chapter and I hope to see your comments down below
Chapter Twenty-four: Angelic warfare
Nathaniel looked at the small camp of griffins from his hiding spot. Blaze had been trying to sneak towards the enemy soldiers for hours but the man had stopped him each time he tried. They needed to bide their time and wait for the right opportunity to strike. The human knew that other Equestrian soldiers were waiting in the trees opposite of him, watching the griffins just as intensely. He wondered where the damn griffon lieutenant had gone since Nate climbed into the tree. They were here for him, not the griffins serving below him.
"How's it looking kid?" Osiris said quietly as he made his way to the human's branch with some difficulty.
"He's not here yet." The man responded and the stallion nodded.
"Rose is starting to grow agitated over the fact that the griffin leaders are growing more and more paranoid. After our raids on their forward camps have their commanding officers grown less aggressive. It's a miracle we even found this group." The stallion said and brought out his dagger.
"They're scared of us." The human said with a grin and rested his hand the sword-hilt at his waist.
"They are. But if they get reinforcements sent to aid them then they'll grow bold again, so don't get cocky." Osiris mused and looked over the group of laughing griffins.
The enemy camp was small, only holding around four tents and one campfire. But the griffins stationed here still had someone with them that would hold valuable information, their lieutenant. Nathaniel had heard them refer to him with that title several times and the enemy group had openly spoken about the griffon's victories at the coast. Nathan swore to feed him to Blaze if the lieutenant had so much as touched Luna's mane.
The wolf would have probably enjoyed the taste of chicken.
The slippery lieutenant wasn't an official leader for this particular camp in the area if Rose's scouts were to be believed. Apparently the griffon was the supervisor of at least twenty of these small camps in the woods and he reported back to the commander leading the mission. If they could get to him then the main force was next, or at least in theory it would be. But the enemy leader only came out to chat with his underlings a few times a week, getting a status update on the woods. Nathan found it funny how they hadn't noticed their forces yet, as five-thousand ponies would stand out in the woods even if they were concealed. But maybe luck was smiling at them for once.
"Lieutenant!" one of the griffins suddenly shouted as a heavily armored griffon walked up to the small campsite.
The lieutenant held mostly grey feathers and golden armor on his body, only leaving room for a few silver medals hanging from his chest. Every last pony near the camp prepared themselves as they could hear the discussion between the group of griffins. If they failed to catch this soldier then they would be forced to stumble around blindly in the woods until they could find the location of the griffin main camp. Nathan saw how Osiris prepared to jump down on the small group of griffins and gave the stallion a nod. They couldn't wait any longer.
The lieutenant had brought with him a large group of guards for his own protection, the griffins standing a few meters away from the camp. The enemy soldiers didn't even see where the first arrow came from. There was confusion at first before suddenly a few of them realized what had happened. The griffins grabbed their weapons and the lieutenant shouted orders, but there was around thirty griffins in the camp and hundreds of ponies in the woods. The human dropped from the tree overlooking the camp and he drew his sword. The man was forced to block an incoming strike from a griffon almost immediately the same second his feet touched the ground and Nathan pushed his adversary back.
Ponies rushed into the camp and jumped down from the trees, the ambush having the exact effect the Lunar Guardian had planned. The griffin soldiers struggled to even pick their weapons as they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of colourful equines. The Equestrian army had enough of hiding in the woods hoping to ambush a few griffins at a time. Now it was time to send the invaders home, either in a coffin or chains. Osiris lead the large group of pony soldiers into the fray alongside the human and decimated whatever defense the thirty soldiers could put up.
It didn't take long until the griffins soldiers tried to run, only to be met by pegasi guarding the sky and earth ponies hiding in the treeline. The griffon lieutenant saw how the battle was lost and he grabbed a knife from his side. The commanding officer intended to turn the blade on himself, plunging it towards his throat. However, before the knife could cut through his flesh had Nathaniel grabbed the griffon's front legs to stop it. The human disarmed the enemy and hit the griffon in the head with his sword pummel, knocking him out.
When the small skirmish was over had no Equestrian soldier fallen while the griffins had suffered several casualties. They had grown too secure since their victory on the coast and that had cost them the battle. Without the proper soldiers stood no camp a chance against the angry army of five thousand ponies marching for blood. It was likely now that the griffins would send more soldiers into the woods once they realized the ponies had not been defeated, but by then it would be too late.
As the ponies cheered for their victory was the enemy lieutenant dragged to a tree and woken up with some cold water. The griffon sputtered and growled at them but grew quiet as the human buried his sword in the tree behind him. The blade had missed the golden armored griffon with mere millimeters, the sword pushing up against the side of the lieutenant's head. Nathaniel glared at the captured commanding officer and looked to Osiris who only nodded. That was all permission the young man needed.
"Where is your main camp?" Nathan asked with a growl and looked at the griffon.
"Piss off you damn monkey! I would rather die then betray my king!" the lieutenant said with a growl.
"You either tell me," The human said with a low growl and let his eyes glow a menacing green, "or I will make sure that every last minute of your life will be in agonizing pain..."
"You think you can scare me? You're nothing more than a circus freak! The princess must have been more desperate than a whore to take you on as a guardia..!" the griffon shouted only to be cut off as the teen grabbed him by the throat.
"Call Luna that one more time and I will make sure your wings are cut off!" the man yelled only to be pulled away by Osiris.
"We need him alive kid! Calm yourself and then try again." The stallion said and looked at the now quiet griffon.
The young man took a deep breath, noticing how the eyes of every pony solider in the woods rested on him. Where they waiting for him to kill again? Did they think he'd snap and allow his rage to control his actions? Did they still see him as some kind of beast that needed to be contained? No, he was above that. Nathan had learnt his lesson about when taking a life was necessary. That knowledge didn't lessen the pain he felt when thinking about Luna, but it did help him come to terms with Osiris' order. So with a calmer but still furious mind the human approached the griffon lieutenant.
"Tell me where your camp is. I am not asking you to betray your country, but to save it. If you continue walking down this path then there will be nothing left when we're done. You will have no kingdom, no leader, no coins and no future. For if I am forced to search all these woods for one camp then I will not show mercy to anyone. I am running out of time and so are all the soldiers under our command. So either you accept the loss of a few and Everfree or live with the consequences that your kingdom burned because of you.." Nathaniel said with a calm icy tone.
He had no leadership skills, he couldn't really command troops and the human felt helpless. But he was fucking pissed, so that had to be enough.
The once confident and arrogant griffon was now showing some doubt. The enemy leader looked to the other griffins that still lived, all of them hoping that he'd choose to save their skin. The lieutenant simply glared at the human and growled deeply. The teen's words were laced with truth, the hard kind of truth. Nathaniel intended fully to burn every city the griffins had to the ground if they could not resolve the Everfree crisis quickly. Nate had already lost any semblance of peace in his life and he would make sure the griffins would feel the same when he was done.
"You think you can burn a nation with Guto leading it? You are all fools for not bowing before his might! Our king has lead us this far and given us back our land and soon our mines in Zebrika! You will fall if you go to him Guardian, on that I swear." The griffon spat and the human shook his head.
"I do not bow before anyone and I can ensure you that when I find Guto he will die. I have gone through too much to let him win this damn war.." The man informed the lieutenant with a glare.
"Either tell us what you know or I will make sure they throw you in a cell filled with diseased blankets!" Osiris suddenly growled and grabbed the griffon.
The man was taken back by the stallion's anger and wanted to call him a hypocrite before seeing the fear in their captive's eyes. Perhaps talking to him wouldn't work, which meant other ways to persuade him had to be used. The earth pony had one of his hooves on the bound griffon's back and growled. The enemy leader lowered his head and then sighed. Perhaps he finally realized just how outnumbered he was. Even if he kept the information from the Equestrian army they would eventually find the rest of his men and show no mercy.
Maybe the commanding officers had some affection for their men then.
"To the south from here... The main camp set up by king Guto lays three miles from here to the south.." The enemy officer grumbled and looked to the remaining soldiers.
The prisoners thanked him with bows of their heads, hopeful that they would see the end of the war. It seemed Guto's chosen military leaders didn't share his willingness to sacrifice soldiers for the larger picture. Osiris ordered for the enemy officer and the remaining griffins soldiers to be transported to the holding cells and then beckoned the human to follow him.
"If what he says is true then we will strike in a few hour's time. I will ask Rose to send scouts into the woods that will await further orders once they have seen the camp. You can rest or train until then Guardian Sol, as you will need to be prepared for the coming battle." the former scout said and the teen nodded.
They were almost there. Several weeks out in the woods would soon come to an end and the griffins wouldn't dare send any more soldiers into the Everfree. It was the final push before they could get to the coast and push out whatever ground forces Guto had stationed there. Nathaniel leaned on a tree and watched how the bodies of the dead were carried off to be buried, much to the surprise of the griffin captives. Maybe they expected the ponies to spit on the bodies like they most likely had done, but Equestria was not a nation of pure hatred. Maybe that was another reason the human had stayed behind to save the ponies. Not only were all of his friends in danger but their populace seemed like decent ponies if one would judge the funerals for the dead griffins.
With the comforting thought in his head the human simply closed his eyes and relaxed, feeling the breeze pull on his long black hair. Now was not the time to think about the darkness on the horizon. Nathan took out his grimoire and started to read through it, spotting the Globus igneus spell. It was time to train for the coming assault. So without further ado the man followed the marching ponies down the overgrown forest path while reading from his book.
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Prince Tyr's POV
The Ygrid was a slow ship. The pride of the fleet was meant to destroy and wipe out what opposition it faced, which meant it was filled to the brim with weaponry. The giant sky-metal canons, the reinforced hull, the smaller canons to hit any enemy capable of flight and the small bombs filled with the corruption sickness were all packed onto one massive ship. We had almost used two thirds of our largest forest to amass this flying fleet and spent several thousand gold coins on hiring the right personal for the mission. I could see why the researchers and scholars at home could be so interested in war, so much went into it.
Yet I even if the ship had an interesting story to tell it wasn't for me. The Ygrid was a tool of death and destruction my father used whenever it pleased him, not an artifact at a museum. I could hear how the ship's crew moved around on the five different floors of the ship as the day progressed, all of them preparing for the next attack on Canterlot. I could still remember the look my father gave as the canons fired upon Fillydelphia. There was only disappointment in those eyes as I tried to stop the senseless slaughter of our own soldiers and civilians, no empathy or regret what so ever.
I had been thinking a lot about the letter given to me by an unknown sender the day before. They wanted to meet me in the cargo hold, the lowest floor of the ship, tomorrow at midnight. I had no idea if I should meet with these griffins who clearly wanted to sabotage the war against the ponies. Who was to say they wouldn't kill me when I met them? Or who was to say they wouldn't just kidnap me? Why should I trust them if they were willing to betray their own nation? While I loathed how many had to die I still saw some logic in my father's words, even if I hated to admit it. The ponies had taken many things from us, things they had not deserved. But war wasn't the only solution when it came to dealing with the issue.
I sighed and laid down on my bed, looking at the letter resting on the nightstand next to it. The parchment had been sent to me from my mother, the middle aged mare sending letters with the food transports to our troops. She had told me to be careful and to listen to my father, even if his words were harsh. She loved him so much, held such a strong devotion to him. Even with all the things he was doing here she still looked upon him with love in her eyes, a love nothing could extinguish. Maybe it was something wrong with me? I had always been loyal to our nation and my father. I had always looked upon the griffon who raised me with admiration, but not anymore. What changed?
I deep down knew what changed, but I didn't want to admit it. I wanted to run away from the harsh truth and just relive memories of a large smiling griffon putting his overly large crown on my head. I had as a kid always wanted to sit upon our steel throne, to rule like my father wanted me to. But as I looked upon the Equestrian soil below the Ygrid I could only feel sadness and confusion. I never wanted to hurt my father or the crown. But I refused to hurt innocent people as well. I had always looked up to stories with heroes sacrificing everything to protect those they loved. I had always wanted to be such a hero growing up. I had wanted to be a hero king, a ruler that put his citizens first.
But now I couldn't defend the crown and the people at the same time anymore. I was forced to choose between my ideals as a sentient being and my responsibilities as my father's son. I couldn't choose between those two things! I couldn't go behind my father's back and work with rebels! They stood against everything I was raised to believe! We had many rebel groups within our borders and they were nothing more than lowly bandits, pillaging anything they saw fit for "justice and freedom". They wanted the people to rule over the nation, to abolish laws and order.
But the people don't want the power! It is a too great responsibility! They cave under the pressure and give it to someone else who can rule. The old republic of Griffonia was the best example I could think of. Before our first king we had elected rulers voting upon the matters of the state. But they were too slow and the bureaucracy allowed for all sort of corruption to consume the land. Not until my great great grandfather lead the people to rebel against the ill advised democracy could food once again flood the markets and banks be reinstated. When the people were allowed to lead they made too grave mistakes and allowed the will of others to cloud their judgement.
I couldn't say my father was much different from that first republic. He had made great mistakes and grown mad thanks to the power bestowed upon him. So did that meant neither the rebels nor my father was right in how the nation was to be governed? If both sides committed the exact same mistakes and both hurt the people that lived within their borders then what was the correct way to lead a people? I had been taught since birth I was meant to lead Griffonia once father passed away, but maybe that was wrong?
I groaned and threw a knife at my door, the thing burying itself in the wood. It didn't matter what the rebels thought or what my father thought was the best way to lead our people. Right now all I knew was that my father had taxed our nation heavily to build this fleet and used shady tactics to keep down angry opposition. I wasn't blind to what happened in court or on the streets. Yet even with the people angry over raised taxes and other things it often only took one speech from my father to make them feel patriotic. If it was because of his charisma or the damn Idol I couldn't say. All I knew was that when my father spoke you listened.
I would go and see the rebels tomorrow and pray to whatever god that listened that they would offer me a solution to my problems instead of adding new ones. I looked at the letter from my mother one last time and sighed, folding it. I would have to disobey my mother, but I didn't have much of a choice. I would not sit by idly and allow my father to punish the innocent. If I had to get aid from rebels to do so? Then so be it. I put the letter among all the other's the mare had sent me in my bookshelf and then I walked back to my bed.
"Sorry mother.. But I cannot listen to my father anymore.." I sighed and looked out the window by my bed, my heart feeling heavy with sorrow.
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Nathaniel's POV
He took a deep breath and once again tried to focus on the spot in front of him. The human remembered how he had moved during the first battle, how he'd been standing on one spot and in the next second he'd moved. According to the other mages he had cast a teleportation spell. It seemed to be the correct assessment as no other thing could explain the speed of which Nathan had moved with to save Blaze that day. So with the time he was given as the army traveled towards the enemy encampment was Nathaniel trying to use the spell once more.
The study session had started out with trying to learn Globus igneus once again but after many attempts to get the spell to work had the teen given up on it. Nate would have to learn it later, as now a more important feat in magic was around the corner. With a smile the teen closed his eyes and almost started to meditate while standing up. He allowed calm to wash over him and once again envisioned himself moving. The thoughts and focus did little to move his body from the patch of grass he was standing on. Maybe the spell wasn't as easy to use as Nathaniel first thought. When he'd cast it in the woods had Blaze been in danger. So maybe if he focused on those emotions?
The human held out his right hand in front of his body and tried to drown out the sounds of marching soldiers around him. Their forces were so large that the torrent of warriors never seemed to stop. Nathaniel had pulled back to a small clearing after walking with Osiris for some time and practiced the spells in the book. The clearing still had soldiers passing through but they paid him little mind. They must have thought the Lunar Guardian was a bit strange when he stopped in the middle of the march, but the teen paid them little mind.
Nate thought about what emotions he's felt that day when he saw the griffon diving for Blaze. Anger had certainly been one, as had fear, but there had been something else. The sense of urgency that carried him to his companion and saved the wolf from an untimely death was missing. There needed to be a strong will to move fast, to move through space like it wasn't there. If Nathaniel could grasp that feeling then surely he'd be able to teleport once more. The human tried one more time and focused as much magic as his mark would allow on leaving the place he was standing on. All it resulted with was a headache and frustration.
Perhaps he simply didn't have enough time to pick up a new spell before the battle. It stung knowing he'd go into the battle a bit more unprepared then what he first thought, but the human would work through it. Nathaniel could still remember casting his first spell in the woods and look where he stood now. If he could go from a hermit in the woods who barely understood magic to a warrior wielding a weapon laced with mana then he could learn a couple of spells. With a calm exhale the man returned his grimoire to his side and followed the soldiers as they marched. Osiris and Rose were among them somewhere, but the teen didn't care to search for them now. He'd see them once they approached the camp, he hoped.
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Nathaniel noticed how the soldiers slowed down after a couple hours of walking. The sky was growing darker and they were starting to get close to the enemy camp. The scouts had reported seeing an hour away, which meant they would be attacking the griffins soon. But Nathan could tell the soldiers were all exhausted from the march, having dragged with them armor and supplies to last the army a couple of weeks. The ponies weren't alone in feeling tired however, as Nate felt like his legs were about to fold under him at any second. They would need to rest before they attacked the camp or at least eat something.
Osiris and Rose found him rather quickly as the army set up camp and lead him away from the other soldiers. Tents were all around the woods and the largest one belonged to the Guardians. The sanguine mare seated herself on a chair and took a bite from a bowl of meat. Osiris never flinched when he saw the human or mare eat meat, but they could always tell he wasn't comfortable with it. Nathaniel was handed a bowl of food from the bat pony which he gladly accepted and ate. After eating in silence Rose finally spoke.
"We know where they are, but we have yet to make out just how many griffins have decided to besiege the woods." She told her two friends who nodded.
"They are armed with the usual equipment according to the scouts: Spears, swords, heavy armor and shields. I assume they do not have any corruption disease stowed away somewhere since I burned down their lab in Garthram," the stallion frowned at the memory, "But be careful when you fight them. They are bound to have some veterans just waiting for a battle." Osiris said and Nathan nodded.
"Do we know where will be the best time to strike?" the human questioned and Rose nodded at him.
"During the midnight hours. An assault during the day would work if we had access to any manticore battering rams, which we sadly don't." She mused and gave her two friends a smirk.
"It worked didn't it?" Osiris replied with a grin.
"So we're sneaking in then? It will be hard to hide five-thousand ponies, even in the dark." The human stated and his fellow Lunar Guardians nodded in agreement.
"We will send in so many we can before we're discovered. Once they know we're here we'll storm the camp and drive them out from the Everfree." The sanguine told them both and Nathan thought about the plan.
They would just storm into the camp and hope for the best? Even with forces inside that would be a hard thing to do, especially if those ponies inside were killed before they could do anything of use. They were riding a lot of this on luck, but they had to. The time was running out and Equestria was on the brink of destruction. It was either a plan that could get many killed or no plan at all. With a sigh Nate put down his bowl of food on the ground and looked out over the camp. They would need to cut down a lot of griffins if they were supposed to drive them out from the woods completely.
"Can we run them out of the woods without so many having to die? If we are the last soldiers left in Equestria and we loose to many to go on.." He started without finishing as the implied loss was all they needed to know.
"We do not have the support to make this less bloody kid. We either storm them with all we got or we hit them in waves. They won't be dumb enough to chase us out into the dense forest, so they'll simply wait if we run away." The stallion told the human who frowned.
"Can't we send someone in and poison their food or something?" the man asked Rose.
"We don't know where they have their food located. If we knew or had time to scout out the camp more it would be a sound strategy. But we're out of time. We're all tired but with how things are looking we'll strike in a few hours." She responded and stood up.
"If that is the case I will spread the word among the soldiers. Kid, go and find your dog before he hurts someone. I don't think you've fed him for a while." Osiris said with a grin.
"He can hunt for himself." The man responded and left the tent to see where Blaze had gone during the march.
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Nathan passed many tents and many soldiers saluted him as he walked past them. The ponies gave him a few nod of acknowledgement or just said his rank and name. They all seemed to know who he was now, which wasn't that hard to figure out. The teen was the only human on Eques after all. The man asked those he met throughout the camp about the wolf's whereabouts, most ponies having no idea the man even owned a wolf. Seeing how the army had over five-thousand ponies soldiers it was soon clear for the young man that how pointless it was asking everyone he met where Blaze was.
With a sigh the man yelled the wolf's name and continued down the path among the tents and trees. It was then he heard a growl and a couple of laughs. Curious the teen walked towards a clearing and saw something that made his blood boil. Nathaniel came upon the scene of five soldiers laughing and throwing bottles of liquor at a bleeding Blaze. The wolf had backed up against a tree and growled at the ponies but refrained from attacking them. The hound had learnt not to bite the ponies in yellow armor from his owner and he was following that command without question.
"Dumb beast wandering too close to camp! Get out of here before we skin ya!" one of the drunken stallions with a blue mane said and the others laughed.
"What. Are. You. Doing?" Nate asked slowly and walked into the clearing with murderous intent.
"Ey boss is that ape the princess put in charge" One of the stallions said to the blue maned stallion.
"I know who he is!" The stallion hissed back as the human walked closer with a cold glare.
"If you know who I am then you will answer my fucking question" Nathaniel growled and the stallion backed up.
"We were just dealing with this beast Guardian Sol," the stallion swallowed thickly as he eyed the human, "They attack farms and slow us down, so they're better off dead. I was planning on skinning it later, we need blankets you se.." Their leader said before he was picked up, holding his neck.
Nathaniel hadn't moved, but his eyes glowed a soft green. The stallion was picked up into the air and chocked at the same time by a simple levitation spell, but it was so satisfying for the human hearing his panicked chokes. The four others looked at him in fear as the human slowly choked the life out of their leader. Just a little more and the pony would fall dead to the ground, a life Nate wouldn't miss. When the stallion was suddenly dropped to the ground coughing and taking deep breaths were the other stallion in the clearing surprised.
"That is my wolf. If I ever see you or one of your friends touch him again I will kill you. The only reason you live is because I need you alive. Is that clear?" the man said while digging his nails into his fist.
Nathaniel wanted to kill the soldier almost as much as he wanted to kill Guto at that point, but if he wanted to get to the griffon king then he'd need every soldiers the Equestrian army had. Blaze limped to his owner and licked his hand, the man petting the wolf's blood covered head. With a deep breath and a lot of mana started the black haired teen to heal the wolf's injuries. Some of the cuts ran deep and took more time to heal than others while the wolf's broken paw took many minutes to mend.
While the Lunar Guardian healed his friend the five stallions ran away back to their tents, either to hide or spread lies about what had happened. It didn't matter much to Nathan. They wouldn't try again knowing the consequences. Or at least he hoped so. The ponies weren't supposed to fight within themselves when their country was at the brink of destruction god dammit.
When Blaze was mostly healed from the attack the human hugged him and closed his eyes, the wolf resting its head on his shoulder. Nate vowed to not let the wolf get hurt those months when they lived in the woods and he'd allowed it to happen anyway, multiple times. The memories of the wolf throwing himself into danger time and time again just to save his owner came up in Nathaniel's mind, and he couldn't help but smile at the wolf.
"You get hurt time and time again. You follow me to hell and back. Any enemy I have falls before they can hurt me thanks to you. What did I do to earn such a friend huh?" the man asked with teary eyes and the wolf pushed its head into his chest.
"Thank you Blaze, for helping me get this far. Thank you for standing beside me despite everything that have happened. I would be honored to fight with you any day, to go hunting with you any night. I just hope you will stand with me tonight despite this." The young human said and gestured to the broken bottles and blood on the ground.
The wolf's reply was to lick the human's face and bark loudly, making the man laugh with a sob. He'd started out without anything in these woods. Nate could barely build a working shelter and missed almost all his shots with his arrows at first. Yet when Blaze came into his life suddenly survival wasn't a farfetched idea or concept any longer. Suddenly he was able to get lots of food and his mind no longer turned to dark thoughts with the wolf nearby.
When he met his other friends for the first time they were mostly hostile except for Rose. Luna had knocked him out cold and Osiris had outright despised him. The ponies had been suspicious and not very trusting. Yet in the end they stood by his side just like Blaze. Wasn't this what he'd been wanting back on earth? Friends and a family that cared for him? He'd finally found it and now someone was trying to take it away from him. His thoughts went to Luna's smiling face and he growled. She was alive, he was certain of it. But where was she?
The man looked at the darkening sky and at the wolf with a determined expression. He would help his friends win this battle and every other battle after that until they reached Guto. They could not stop now, not when they were so close pushing the griffins out of Everfree and retake the coast. Nate stood up and left the clearing with Blaze following behind him. He would not let the mad king have his way with his friends or the people who lived in this nation.
With a clear goal in his head and with his companion by his side the Lunar Guardian headed back to his tent to prepare. Many soldiers gave him curious looks as he passed, like something had changed about him. A few looked happy at how the human walked with his back straight and a smile on his lips while others found it to be annoying. Many didn't trust him to lead yet and neither did Nathan if he was gonna be honest with himself. But the time for self-doubt and clouded anger was over. A battle was looming over the horizon and Nathaniel intended on winning it, no matter the cost.
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Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I looked at upon the burnt villages and fields with a solemn expression. The griffins hadn't been merciful when the attacked from the south. The soldiers that would be guarding the border had to either be dead or in hiding at this point. It looked even more bleak when he spotted the Dark Kingdom's flag placed on our borders. So the griffon king had managed to gain the aid of the Empress through some shady means and added her troops to his own. I growled and slammed my hoof into the wooden deck of the Spellbinder . If it looked like this in the south then how had the coast fared? With the griffons holding ships of their own I couldn't help but shudder at the sheer improbability of success we had. We needed to get aid from the North or all of Equestria would burn.
"Lord Protector.." Spectral said grimly from the helm and pointed his hoof towards the north.
I looked towards the distant northern mountains and I felt my heart freeze. Black smoke rose up towards the sky and seemed to indicate doom upon all the world. I growled and barked for the ship's captain to move faster. We could no longer wait, it was now or never. The griffins had sent one of those ships up there, it had to be the reason for the smoke. I had been too slow with my planning and been too cautious around the desert. May Faust have mercy upon my soul if we failed this mission..
"Lord Protector! You said we would find the goddess' chosen warrior once we arrived on Equestrian soil! Yet I do not see us coming any closer to the fighting. I can only see us running away from it to the Minotaurs! We are not weaklings and will fight against the griffins without fear. Can you say the same?" a blue dragon growled and landed next to me on the ship.
So the dragons had finally had enough.
"I do not fear them. I am simply doing my duty as Lord protector and gathering allies for the coming battle. If you are so shortsighted you cannot see the difference between the two then you are lost" I hissed at the drake.
He scowled back at me before speaking. "We came here to follow the chosen one. We can now find him and do our duty as predicted by Faust herself. I will not hesitate to abandon this voyage if it will not take us to the human."
The blue dragon was a bit larger than Celestia and seemed to prefer standing on all fours. His wings twitched with caution as he awaited my response. Spectral had warned me bout this, that they might turn against us. I had hoped it would take longer before they decided to go the Lunar Guardian, but we can't not get all the things we wish for. I sighed and looked upon the other dragons flying around the ship, most of them teenage dragons with the exception of two fully grown adults watching over them.
I had to collect myself before I spoke. "I need your assistance with the ship up in the mountains. For the survival of all our nations I will need your power," I swallowed at that one, " if not I fear the griffins will burn all in their path."
I desperately hoped my voice was more firm then how it sounded in those moments.
"I will go to the coast with my willing brothers and sisters to fight." The blue dragon responded and jumped off the ship, flying towards the east.
To my dismay was he joined by most of the dragons, only a couple deciding to stay after giving their departing friends uncertain glances. The green teen-aged dragon, Charcoal, landed next to me and looked towards the other dragons with a sigh. For a normally docile creature could he conjure up some rather disturbing looks.
The dragon looked to me and said, "I'll tell Nathan you're getting help once we find him. Try not to die Lord Protector."
With that the dragon simply jumped over the edge of the ship and flew towards the east, following his fellow brothers and sisters.
"I won't die," I said but then frowned, "I hope."
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Nathaniel's POV
The battle went wrong very quickly. The soldiers that had been sent into the camp was found before they could cause any immediate damage and the rest of the troops had been too slow with reacting. It had all ended with one massive showdown between the griffon and pony forces at the edge of the forest. Nathan was still trying to understand how they had lost control over the situation so quickly but he buried the thought in the back of his mind.
He had a job to do.
With swift slashes and quick jabs was the human able to keep any griffon away from him. They all had focused their attention on the teen whenever he got close, indicating they knew exactly who he was. The Lunar Guardian didn't really care at that point and did his best to stay alive, using his sword to block any strikes sent his way. Blaze was at least close by as the young man noticed a grey blur running at any griffon coming to close to his back. The satisfying screams and crunches left in the wolf's wake both terrified him and made him fight harder.
In the beginning of the battle had the human used Valkyrie to much success, but once the pony and griffon soldiers had gotten closer was it more likely to hit allied troops then the enemy. Much to the human's dismay was he forced to use his blade instead of the magical war-hammer, which out him at a disadvantage against the highly trained griffin troops. Nate could claim knowing how he fought with a sword, but that didn't make him the best warrior there.
One griffon that came from the man's side managed to cut his blade into the teen's leg, making the human drop onto his knee. If it hadn't been for Rose nailing the soldier between the eyes with a throwing knife would the man most likely have lost his head. The other two Lunar Guardians were always close to their friend but most often or not had they their own problems to deal with, like the never ending waves of enemy soldiers.
The griffon and pony army were not evenly matched. The griffins only had around three thousand soldiers but they had shattered all the plans the ponies managed to think about. So not even when the ponies had superior numbers could they easily win over their enemies. It annoyed the human how for every griffin they cut down would two more take his place. If they wanted to create chaos among the enemy ranks they needed their leader dead, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Just as the thought about finding the enemy commander passed through his head was Nathan sent flying as something crashed into his side. The man slid over the ground with a groan and looked up into the night sky. The only light around them were a couple of torches and the stars. Maybe Luna was watching the stars at that second as well. The thought made him smile in the middle of the bloody battle.
"Stand up ape and meet your fate with some dignity." A voice said from his left and the man quickly got up, ducking under another griffon's swing.
Among the screaming soldiers stood a griffon dressed in a thick silver armor. A long-sword was held in the enemy's talons and a dark grin was on the male's beak. So the enemy commander had finally decided to join the battle, lovely. With a growl and the man held out his hand and used Solaris Mico , the spell blinding the other griffin soldiers around him who stumbled to find some safety. But the effects didn't last long on the commander who scowled towards Nathaniel's direction. Maybe it was time to quickly learn a few other spells.
The griffon commander simply scoffed and slashed the head of a pony soldier who happened to be close. "Such weak things do not work on me boy!" The enemy yelled and flew towards the human.
Nate dived under a slash aimed for his neck and swirled around to cut the unprotected back legs of the commander. The sword cut through them and drew blood, earning the Lunar Guardian a hiss of pain as the griffon landed. With a swift thrust of his left hand was a great blast of magic sent the commander's way, the griffon being sent back by the force. Yet the magic hadn't fazed the warrior who simply shrugged it off with a cruel grin.
It seemed his armor was made to deal with magic, great.
Nathaniel threw himself to the side as the enemy once again ran towards him and tried to swipe at him using the great sword. The human knew he stood no chance against the griffon so long as his wings remained, meaning they needed to be removed. With a scowl Nate turned his body to the side to add some momentum to his swing, hitting the side of the commander's head. Thanks to his helmet remained the griffon unharmed, but he stumbled. Nathan used this to his advantage.
With quick jabs aimed for the enemy's back was the teen able to cut into the commander's wings. With a howl of pain the griffon smacked his talons into the man's face, drawing blood and sending the human flying backwards. Nate landed with a loud 'oof' and groaned as he put a hand over the left side of his face. He could feel two deep gashes running over his eye and on his cheek. Blood coated his vision and the Lunar Guardian wished he could just be drinking tea with Luna instead of doing this shit.
In his hazy environment the human barely caught the sight of the commander running towards him with murder in his eyes. Nate rolled out of the way to see a great-sword pierce the ground where he had been laying moments before, the griffon glaring at him. He needed to come up with a plan, and fast. So without really thinking the young man stood up and ran away from the enemy commander, heading towards familiar howls in the distance.
The commander just snorted and followed the man. "You shouldn't run human! I will find you wherever you go!" The giant chicken yelled after him.
The battle had been mostly a blur for Nate but he noticed just how bloody it had all become. Griffon and pony soldiers alike lied dead on the ground with all from arrows to spears sticking out of their chests. It was a sad sight and Nate knew they wouldn't have time to bury them all, if they would have time to bury anyone. His distraction cost him as a griffon sword slashed his chest and the man screamed in pain, stumbling backwards. The griffon that had attacked was quickly brought down by a pony soldier who gave him a nod before running away to help his brothers.
With blood pouring down both his face and chest the teen could only stumble across the battlefield towards where the wolf was biting the face of an enemy soldier. Once Blaze noticed his owner he gave of a happy bark and hurried to Nate's side, sniffing his blood covered hand. The wolf was covered in blood and guts, having gored quite a few griffons in the battle around them. At this point the enemy just tried to steer clear from the hound, not wanting their face bit off.
"Find Osiris. I don't care if you have to drag him here just go find him." the man said and then jumped to the side as a great-sword attempted to slash him in half.
Blaze yelped in fear at the sight of the large griffon and ran off to find the scout, hopefully before Nate would get gutted by their enemies. The human once again was locked in a battle with the commander, blocking what strikes he could and jumping out of the way for others. The man tried all the spells he knew at the griffon commander, but only Solaris Mico worked. The armor absorbed all other kinds of magic and didn't allow the man to simply pick up and throw the griffon across the battlefield.
It was when the human's vision started to darken when Osiris suddenly stormed onto the scene. The golden furred stallion slammed into the side of the commander and sent them both rolling onto the ground, the pony trying to stab out the eyes of his enemy. Griffin soldiers saw their commander in trouble and rushed to help him. Or at least they tried to help him before Nathaniel cut them down. The tired human didn't allow anyone to get past him while the more experienced Lunar Guardian dealt with the commander.
Minutes flowed into each other as the fighting continued and Osiris slowly but surely won the battle against the larger opponent. They had gotten up from the ground and circled each other with the pony and his enemy both scowling at each other. The griffon commander tried to use his size and armor to bring down the smaller stallion, but it was exactly what Osiris had wanted. The former scout used his speed to bury his dagger into the griffons exposed armpit which made the enemy combatant drop his great-sword. With a swift slash Osiris buried another dagger into the throat of the commander, a gurgle escaping the griffon's mouth.
With the enemy leader dropping dead on the ground it was like the pony soldiers gained new strength. Osiris helped Nathaniel stand up straight, giving him a nod. The battle was not over, but as predicted chaos erupted in the griffin ranks and more soldiers fell under pony steel. Nate looked around him at the corpses littering the ground, the stench of death lingering in the air. It made the human feel sick as he watched the dead with a sad expression.
"Kid look at me," Osiris said. "We're still surrounded by enemy soldiers and I need you to be aware of your surroundings."
"Yeah.. Yeah I'm fine.." the human responded and held up his sword, looking at the blood covering it.
Nathaniel closed his eyes before he spoke once more, raising his sword into the air. "Let's kill these bastards. For Luna!"
"For Luna!" Soldiers close by called back as the pony army slashed into the remaining griffin soldiers with the Lunar Guardians leading the charge.
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The aftermath wasn't pretty. The battle was won but many had died achieving it. Out of the five thousand soldiers that had rushed into battle had only a little over three-thousand five-hundred walked out. With the ponies that had been originally assigned to the Lunar Guardians had they an army of a little over four thousand. But many were injured or would die in the coming hours from said injuries. Nathaniel just eyed it all with a solemn expression.
The ponies were normally such happy creatures, but here they all looked ready for death's door. With a sigh the man walked off to find Rose and ask her for their next move when he noticed the blue maned stallion from the night before. The pony that had been harassing Blaze growled at the human before walking off. In the darkness of the night hadn't the man noticed the bloody dagger the stallion had for a cutie mark. Nate would had to keep an eye on that soldier.
Once Nathan reached Rose he found her praying in a strange tongue, the mare sitting by a stone with a rune carved into it. She seemed so focused on her task, like nothing could break her serenity. The mare's light grey fur was still covered in dried blood and from the look in her eyes hadn't she slept at all. Nate had managed to catch four hours of sleep after the battle, but maybe he'd only been allowed to do so because Rose covered for him?
"They might be our enemies," the mare said after her prayer, "But they deserve to rest in the afterlife like the rest of us."
Nathan scoffed at that. "Do you think they would bury us? That they would care?"
"No. They would move on without a moment's notice. Which is why we need to be the ones to bury them, to show them compassion by taking prisoners. We are not them Nathaniel, remember that." She smiled at the human before going back to praying.
Nate pondered over her words for a few seconds before sighing. "I hope we have a plan for when we reach the coast."
"We have a plan," the sanguine said with a frown, "But only the gods will be able to tell if it will work."
She didn't want to share what the plan entailed then? Great.
Nathaniel looked up into the morning sky and sighed before nodding. "Let's hope the gods throw us some hints then," he paused as rain suddenly started to fall over the woods, "Because we're gonna need it."
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Author's Note
Another long ass chapter boi! Sorry this took a while but the end of the school year is approaching and that means a lot of tests.
(Fingers crossed I don't fail math because I wrote on this instead of studying! XD)
Anyway thank you for reading this chapter! I would like your opinion on how I structured dialog in this one. I used this article as a guide https://firstmanuscript.com/format-dialogue/ but as you might expect that doesn't mean what I got here is perfect. I just hope I will be able to learn how to progress as a writer which means absorbing feedback and learning new things.
(Like proper grammar)
Have a good night guys! Chapter 25 might take a while becuase school, sorry
Chapter twenty-six: The Angel's salvation
Silver Page's POV
I slammed the rock into the griffon's head and backed away. The soldiers were everywhere and I could feel my wings twitching in fear. Crystal Sword was at my side, dispatching of any enemy getting to close with his magic. The town we were in had been under siege for maybe an hour, the bell tower continuing to warn the citizens of the impending doom. I could feel the fear of everyone around me, like a leech I gobbled it all down to feed.
Dodge city was the name of the town. I remembered Crystal remarking about how the stone walls would not hold the enemy for long when we got here. Unfortunately he'd been correct. Just two days prior to the attack Solar Guardian Holy Light appeared by the town gate. He was wounded and brought at least a hundred soldiers with him. We quickly learnt the border had fallen to the combined troops of the dark kingdom and Griffonia. The soldiers the Guardian had brought with him were the only survivors.
I had come here with Crystal to help the ponies here flee, but quickly we realized there was nowhere to go. We were forced to hide away the foals and the pregnant mares the best we could in basements. All who could fight were given a sword and told to stand their ground no matter what. Holy Light inspired them, his voice filled with pride as he spoke to the commoners given weapons. He had quelled their fears and made them feel bigger then themselves, like they were apart of something more.
Then the attack came.
The two days of preparations hadn't been enough for us to be ready for the overwhelming forces. The enemy army had brought catapults and they broke through the wall defending the town in a few minutes. I was horrified and shocked as I saw the griffins leading the charge, the enemy cutting down anypony in their way. They didn't stop at nothing to quell our retaliation and they did so proudly.
Crystal told me to stick by his side when the enemy army finally reached us. The former king used all his strength to hold them off, summoning blue crystal spikes to kill any griffins getting to close to us. He moved us down the different alleyways between the many houses as the fight continued, the stallion giving me a dagger to defend myself with. I tried to help him in any way I could. I smashed rocks into their bodies using my newfound magic and I stabbed them in the side if they got to close.
Finally we reached the main square where most of the fighting was taking place. The town was mostly made up of rows of two story houses, which had been badly damaged by fires. The square was no different as smoked filled the air and war cries could be heard from the enemy. I saw the Solar Guardian leading what soldiers we had against the invading force, using his long-sword to cut off the head of griffins.
So far I hadn't seen any troops from the Empress army, but maybe I should be happy they hadn't joined in the fray yet. I was no warrior or mage, but I would hurt any enemy that came close to me or my king. I would be made a slave for Guto's pleasure and I would never again allow myself to be bound by the corruption. It was in my blood, but I controlled it, it didn't control me.
Suddenly the ground underneath my hooves exploded and I was sent flying. I tried to unfold my wings but I landed on the ground either way. With a groan I forced myself to look up and I noticed several ponies coughing up red dust. Crystal Sword was nowhere to be seen and I could not make up black round objects being tossed into the main pony army. They exploded and red black smoke filled the air afterwards. I could hear its false promises from where I had landed and I recognized the feeling from when he held me prisoner.
The corruption had been weaponized.
I saw Holy light hold up a magical yellow shield around himself and the soldiers closest to him. The stallion looked horrified as crystals started to grow from the body of those affected, like parasitic lifeforms. My head spun as I tried to make my way towards him and get passed the enemy soldiers. Yet I could only stumble forward as sanguine ponies and griffins landed next to me. The bat ponies growled and jumped me, trying to stab me with their daggers.
They were suddenly pulled to the ground by a light blue aurora and their limbs were bound with crystal shackles. The griffins were quickly cut down by Crystal Sword as he wielded his blue blade. The stallion effortlessly blocked any strikes sent his way and he reached me in the matter of seconds. The former king helped me up and looked around at the dying ponies and burning buildings.
"Bastards.." He growled and helped me get behind the pony troops.
"We need to run! They're using the corruption!" I said with panic filling my every bone.
"I know. We need to call a full retreat if we want any soldiers to make it out alive." Crystal said and closed his eyes.
A great wall of crystal suddenly rose between the two armies, its blue and magical nature clearly originating from the stallion next to me. Holy Light used that opportunity to call a full retreat as the griffins started to fly over the wall and the ponies ran for their lives. I pushed my head into Crystal's side and tried to get him to move, the enemy soon being on top of us.
It was then the wall shattered, yet it stayed flouting in the air. The tiny pieces of crystals were suddenly hurled at the invading army with massive speed, many griffins and dark kingdom troops alike loosing their lives. Crystal puked up a massive amount of black goo in the process but it finally allowed me to get him moving. I helped guide the exhausted stallion through the burning town and I saw Holy Light direct soldiers and civilians alike to the nearby forest. I followed and helped my savior every step of the way as we escaped Dodge City, leaving the way open for the enemy army to take southern Equestria.
May the gods look upon you with favor Equestria, you will need it.
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Nathaniel's POV
Nathan looked upon the thousands of ponies that had taken up shelter in the ruins of Baltimare. They all were talking and planning out the quickest way to scout the ruins of Fillydelphia. Rose had already sent out scout to once more find out the situation in the city and hopefully mark places where the enemy had canons. They lost seventy-five soldiers to canon-fire alone in the last battle and the sanguine mare hoped to avoid such a loss again.
Yet not everyone in the camp were tense or anxious. The pony soldiers seemed hopeful once more, even more hopeful than when they drove the griffins out of Everfree. The dragons arrival and the news of the Lord Protector still being alive had the soldiers laughing and singing songs. It seemed like hope had finally arrived in this dark situation and that they would be saved.
Nate watched all of the emotions pass through the camp from one of the many hills in the area. When the city was demolished were many once tall towers and building reduced to nothing but coloured rock. These great piles of rock became new hills and they in turn created whole valleys among the ruins that the ponies were forced to traverse. It would surly be the same in Fillydelphia so Osiris was preparing for the worst. With the amount of high ground the griffins would hold in the former city they could place out canons everywhere to watch their new land.
The thought of the last pony soldiers falling to the griffins among the Fillydelphia ruins was grim, but the their newfound allies brought a whole new perspective to the situation. Or rather, his newfound allies. The dragons refused to listen to anyone unless Nathaniel himself told them to do so. It brought both Rose and Osiris a lot of frustration. Nate had to go out of his way if he wanted them to listen to anyone, promising great victories against the griffins if they just did as they were told.
The two adult dragons that had accompanied the other drakes were both impatient and frustrated every time they were told to simply wait on Osiris' or Rose' command. They repeatedly said that he should be leading them into battle like the warrior the mark indicated him to be. But the human tried to convince them that waiting for information was the best approach as they knew little of what awaited them.
The two dragons did as they were told, but they weren't happy with it that was for sure. The teenage dragons were more easily to persuade as they listened to him without question. They all seemed to know the prophecy Faust left behind, her promises of a guardian of the realm. They all looked up to him like Nate had been leading them for years when he bearly knew one of them. It both scared him to wield so much power, but it also felt good.
"Have you tried your mediation thing kid?" Osiris suddenly asked the teen who looked over his shoulder at the sand coloured stallion.
"I can see all living creature's in an area when I do it. I have felt nothing but us since we defeated the griffins.." He mumbled sadly.
Osiris shock his head and looked over the ruins. "They have to pay for this kid. We can't let them get away or simply pay their way out somehow. If we fail to destroy this threat our nation will fall." Osiris proclaimed and the human nodded.
"I know. We will win, we will get these soldiers back to their families and make Guto pay." Nate said.
Osiris didn't say anything after that, the stallion seemingly thinking about something. Nathan just let him be in his own mid for a few minutes, the human enjoying the calm sensation laying over them in the air. Nate started to think himself as he watched the soldiers below and the sun in the distance. Why was Osiris different from everyone else? Why was he Guardian Osiris and not Guardian 'generic last name'?
"Why don't you have a last name Osiris?" Nathaniel asked the stallion who tensed at the question.
Osiris sighed before answering. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to know I guess? You're different from everyone else, like you lack a last name. But all ponies I've met have one, even the princesses. So why don't you?" The human asked him and turned to look at his friend.
The wind blew through Osiris black mane before he answered. "Because I lost the right to call myself by that name."
Nate looked at Osiris as he said that and noticed just how sad the stallion seemed over telling the human that. The scout was good at hiding his emotions, but Nathan could clearly see the pain in the pony's eyes as he spoke of it. What could he have done to earn such a punishment? What crime would cause your family to disown you in such a way you could no longer bear their name?
"What happened?" The Lunar Guardian asked the pony.
"I got a child killed. I used to be part of the guard patrolling tartarus, making sure no creature could break out and infect the villages close by. But one day a family passed by the gate when we had it opened. They had their daughter with them and we cared little for them. But as I turned around I thought I saw a filly walking down one of the many stairs in the prison. I first thought I had been wrong and I ignored it but quickly had that child's parents discovered the disappearance of their daughter. I was too afraid to speak to my commander before they understood the filly was gone and once everything erupted into chaos I froze.
"My test in that cave was to meet the little filly again and beg her for forgiveness. I somehow earned it and I was sent to you and Rose. I represented forgiveness according to that weird room and I still can't really believe it. But even if the filly have forgiven me my family has not. I told my father what happened a few months after the incident and he disowned me. He took the news so hard he retired from his post and returned home. I could no longer call myself by my family name and I was no longer allowed to see the rest if my family back home. Not that they would have wanted to see me either way.
"Once they all knew what I had done they cut all contacts with me and told our county's high council about my crime. I am no loner welcomed in Naviin and I won't be until I can prove myself worthy of bearing my family's name again. What I'll have to do to be worthy of such a thing I do not know. But I do know that if I regain the honor I lost because of my selfish fear I can rest easy. And if my family can forgive me? Then I would be eternally grateful to the gods." The stallion told the human with sigh.
Nathaniel thought over the information for a while before asking his next question. "So Naviin is your home country then?"
Osiris chuckled at that and nodded. "Naviin is.. was my home. It lies beyond the Southern Luna sea, on the edges of the map. My family has lived there for generations and was rather displeased when my father immigrated to Equestria. They were even more displeased when I followed him and took a position in the Equestrian army. But I do think they were rather pleased with his return and even more pleased with me not coming back with him. I was against a lot of things they did in Naviin."
"Like what?" Nate asked.
"Corrupting certain government officials, bribing guards, screwing over shops now owned by them and outright sending assassins after other noble families? I love my family dearly, but many of them are not kind ponies." He scoffed and took out some liquid courage from his saddle bags.
The human took the red bottle and took a sip of the substance, coughing as he swallowed it down. "So why would you want to bear their name again if they're such horrible people?"
"Because they're family kid. Not all of them are like that. A few, like one of my brothers, wants to improve Naviin. He'd like to root out corruption within the goverment and the noble families. Sadly his voice is seldom heard nor appreciated." The golden furred stallion mumbled.
"So what was your name before your father disowned you?" Nate asked Osiris before handing him the bottle.
The stallion downed some of the alcohol before answering, like he needed some added bravery to even say it. "Soulblade. My name was Osiris Soulblade."
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The journey to Fillydelphia took another day of their time. The human and his friends lead the army of ponies and dragons over the grassy hills of the east and avoided fighting the best they could. At times they would bump into a griffin scouting group and quickly captured them or killed them. They didn't let anything stand in their way especially not Guto's minions. It wouldn't be until they got to the first burnt village they really understood the power of the griffin flag ship.
The settlements around Fillydelphia had been burnt to the ground by the enemy army passing through. They had seemingly left no one alive and easily dispatched of any guard presence in the area. The griffins had then burnt it all to the ground and left to find another target. It made the soldiers angry and the dragons furious. The griffins hadn't even give the ponies a chance to fight.
Most of the journey was spent in silence as the army did not want to disrespect the dead. It was easy to see the ground they were walking on as burial grounds with how many lives that had been lost. The human cringed as he thought about the ponies begging for mercy only for the griffins to cut them down like animals. It hurt to think about all the children that lost their lives when the invading army fell upon the surrounding villages.
No one was spared from these visions and by the point they reached Fillydelphia was the mood among the soldiers at an all time low. The ground was scorched black by the powerful canons that had leveled the coastal city and the building themselves were just as badly damaged as in Baltimare. The only difference here was that a few houses still stood on the very edge of the city, but they too were damaged and coasted in blood. The sight made Rose growl and Osiris say a small prayer.
Nathan simply raised his hand and looked to his fellow guardians. The two ponies gave him a nod and the man gave the order to attack the griffin encampment. The dragons roared and took to the skies, quickly diving towards the ruins and spewing fire upon all they could see. Cries of alarm rose from the ruins and the pony army rushed into the destroyed city. For a second time they climbed up hills of rubble and cut down anyone that stood in their way. Nathan lead the charge with Valkyrie, smashing it into the ground and sending out a great magical shock-wave.
The battle went south for the griffins pretty quickly. Any canon the enemy had installed was toppled by the dragons in the matter of minutes and the few hundred griffins that was stationed at the ruins were running around in panic. The human and his friends lead the soldiers into the middle of the enemy army, cutting down anyone that tried to resist them. With the dragons circling above and the thousands of ponies flooding the ruins the battle was quickly won.
Once the ruins were secured the ponies relaxed. The sea was still controlled by the griffins, but now they had won back the coast. With the dragons at their side could no ordinary army win, but the griffins were no ordinary army. They were armed with something that could kill the dragon lord himself. Charcoal had told him how the fleet of flying ships had brought down their most powerful warriors. Even if they had managed to destroy a few ships it had not been enough for a victory.
The dragons failure was a harsh lesson to learn from. They couldn't stand alone against the threat or they would all fall to Guto's blood-lust and pride. Nathan would now allow them to fall, not when they were so close to striking back against the griffon king. Not when they could save all the innocents left in Equestria. Not when they were so close to avenge Luna.
"Lord Sol! We have managed to secure all vantage posts among the ruins and we have killed or captured all griffins in the area. We have also found a cellar door underneath the rubble of the old town hall. It is shielded by a powerful spell and all attempts at opening it have failed." A soldier suddenly informed Nathaniel.
"Good job. Let's go and check out that cellar door." The teen told the soldier who saluted.
"Sir!" the pony exclaimed and lead the human towards the middle of the destroyed city.
The old town hall had been temple like building before the attack. The Greek like columns had supported an arch at the opening of the building while the rest of the structure had composed of three different floors shaping a spherical structure with a dome roof. The highest floor had acted as the local lord's office, it had probably been filled with riches all destroyed or looted when the griffins attacked. The two other floors had just been offices ransacked by the griffin occupation, the walls showing clear signs of having burnt. All of this could be seen by simply standing in front of the massive building as the most of the front wall was destroyed from canon fire.
"The cellar is at the back." The soldier told Nathaniel.
"Did our mages try to break the spell?" The human questioned as they came upon a large wooden hatch in the ground.
The pony shook his head, "They did my lord. They were unsuccessful but managed to confirm it's not dark magic involved. Whoever did this holds no ties to the crystal empire or the dark kingdom. Yet the shield is very strong, so obviously a powerful mage warded of this cellar."
"The question is who.." Nate said and closed his eyes.
The human focused on his surroundings, allowing his magic to 'feel' around him. The hatch was bright as the sun and a very familiar word could be 'read' from the magical shield, that being 'knowledge'. Nathan opened his eyes in surprise just as the hatch exploded open and a white blast of magic sent him flying backwards. The human rolled a couple of meters upon the muddy ground with a groan and he looked up to see a spear tip pointed in his face.
"Nice to see you too Starswirl.." The teen groaned in pain and slowly got up, looking at the dirty disheveled face of his magic teacher.
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Enjo Steelheart's POV
'This is a horrible plan..' I thought to myself as I was lead down the griffin camp in chains.
Commander Fylk walked ahead of me with two other brothers in arms. The wolf-pony had lead us this far without taking to many casualties and he had inspired me to fight for my fellow mutants. Fylk had saved my tribe by himself against a horrible beast and he'd personally killed more griffins then all of us combined. There would be no one I would rather follow into the fire and fray of battle.
But he was really pushing it now.
The plan of simply letting the griffins capture us so close to their main encampment by the dessert's edge was as brilliant as it was stupid. The commander had simply walked up to a griffon soldier and asked the chicken to be taken to their leader. Unsurprisingly Fylk ended up with a bloody snout and all of us were bound in chains. The griffins that had "captured" us had paraded us around like it was some sort of great victory and most of them grinned as they learnt the leader of the mutants had been captured. I groaned at the idiocy of this plan and looked around to distract my stressed out mind.
The griffin camp was large, even for the chickens standards. Maybe over three hundred griffins lived here? Rows upon rows of sand coloured tents stood around us forming a minor town with set up roads between a few of them. The enemy had filled them with all from weapons to living quarters for their soldiers. It was annoying walking past a tent to hear them call us 'freaks' or 'dirty mutants', but Fylk ignored it. Our leader was stoic against all the taunts and his lack of reaction angered many of the war pigeons.
In the middle of the camp had a large wooden platform been built, currently holding up their flying ship. It was an impressive sight I'd give them that. The ship was just like our commander had described it, except that the hull was covered in metal while two large metal cylinders was attached to the front. Fylk had called them canons and said their destructive capabilities outmatched anything we could build ourselves.
The wooden platform the ship's hull rested on acted as a stage as well. As we approached the ship I could see a decorated griffon looking down at us with glee. He was wearing a thick silver armor that covered most of his body, medals and other things attached to it. I was certain I saw a red crystal hanging around his neck before we were pushed snout first into the sand. My tail flicked in anger until a griffon lightly cut it with his sword, making me hiss in pain.
"If it isn't the wolf and his loyal scum! We have been looking for you 'commader' Fylk. King Guto demands justice for your crimes against our great kingdom!" The griffon leader called down to us.
His brown feathers and grey eyes watched us intently as he awaited our leader's response. It was like he was eyeing up his prey, just waiting for the right moment to strike. It was a pain to hold back the amount of rage this griffon made me feel, but the commander had made it certain only he would speak. The wolf-pony had a plan we were supposed to follow, and we owed him our lives to try follow those orders.
"The only crimes committed here has been by your king. This is our land, our future republic. I'd advise you all to leave, or you will die." Fylk said though his mismatched teeth.
The griffon commander laughed before answering, "You are in no position to make threats mutant! Order your people to lay down their blades and we might consider not purging you from this desert."
"Over my dead body." Was the only response our leader gave theirs.
The griffon dressed in a silver armor eyed Fylk before growling. "Then so be it.."
The griffin soldiers that had captured us quickly dragged us up from the grund and lead us towards a stone block. I could see an axe and dried blood on the ground. So they were gonna execute us just like that? No sadistic torture or watching our loved ones die? It wasn't too surprising considering all the problems our commander had caused for the chickens, but it still surprised me. I watched how a hippogriff walked over the wooden platform holding up the ship and how he flew up to the griffon vessel. I caught a sight of blue and black feathers underneath the golden griffonian armor.
With a growl from one of our griffon captors I was forced to rest my head on the stone block. I hissed at the enemy and my sensitive nose picked up on the smell of blood coming from the stone. I would not be the first meeting my end here and I wouldn't be the last. I tilted my head to the side to look at Fylk, the wolf-pony still chained with the other mutants the griffins had captured. I think I saw worry in his eyes before I spotted a large griffon dressed in brown robes walking up to me. He effortlessly picked up the executioner's axe and grinned sadistically at me. The camp cheered and chanted for him to cut off my head, to kill us all.
Your plan better work commander, or I would be meeting the Sandwalker sooner than expected.
"Any last words mutant?" The robed griffon asked me as he raised the axe above his head.
"You really should watch your backs better." I spat with a grin.
The griffon looked confused before the sound of one of their canons charging up magical energy cut through any sounds the mountain pissers had been doing. The griffon commander shouted a panicked order to secure the canons but it was too late. With a great flash of green light fired the ship's left sky-metal canon a beam of concentrated magic directly into the griffon camp. The explosion was so bright and loud I lost all senses for a couple of seconds but I could feel myself hitting the sandy ground as the blast sent me flying away from the stone block.
A constant ringing sounded through my head as I struggled to get up and I looked around. Even with my vision a bit blurry I could make out black smoke rising towards the sky and griffins running around in panic to coordinate themselves. I was happy to discover that Fylk's plan had worked out, even if I was certain it was gonna get us all killed. Our commander had assured us that this plan of this would work but I had my doubts as he had went through it with us.
Our leader's second in command, a hippogriff named Saren, would disguise himself in the enemy armor we gained after raiding their camps and sneak inside. With Fylk being captured would all eyes be on the him and not on some random half-breed soldier walking around camp. I had assumed the griffins would notice Saren was not one of their own, but with all the commotion no one seemed to question his presence in the camp. It had been easy for him to get up onto the ship and gain access to the canon.
My chains had been separated from the others' from me as I was brought to the block. As I tried to run the chains attached to my legs rattled on and they slowed me down. I did my best to avoid griffins trying to cut me down but I was not getting far in my current condition. I needed a weapon and I needed to get rid of these chains. In the chaos a griffon spotted me and charged me with a battle-cry only for him to fall to the ground. An arrow was buried in his back and I heard a horn blaring over the sand dunes.
Dussins of our warriors poured down from the steep hills of sand around the griffon camp and crashed into whatever defenses the chickens tried to put up. Commander Fylk was no where to be seen as I ran around the burning camp and I swore I heard one of the ship canons charging up magical energy once more. Suddenly a blast from the canon hit the outskirts of camp and many of our soldiers as well as their soldiers perished in the magical blast. The explosion made me temporarily deaf again and I hurried away towards the platform around the ship. We needed to gain back control over those canons or all would be lost.
I saw another mutant running close to me as our forces slipped into the camp. I ran up to the mare who reminded me of a mix between a dragon and pony and quickly held up my hooves. She swiftly cut off the chains with a stolen griffon sword and I ran away giving her a thankful nod. My snake like tail picked up a sword on the way laying next to a dead griffon and I rushed to the wodden platform.
Before I could reach the ramp leading up to the ship's docking place a pissed off griffon commander landed in front of me. He was bleeding from his head where his helmet had rested before and his once clean silver armor was not filthy with blood and dust. I glared at him and gave off a hiss before I rushed the older warrior. He gave off a growl and drew his own sword before hurrying towards me. As we got closer in our sprint the enemy commander raised his blade over his head and with a quick swipe of my tail I blocked his downwards strike.
We exchanged quick jabs and slashes. It was clear he was the better fighter but he lacked my tenacity and determination. I rolled out of the way, ducked under the commander's sword and I was driven back further and further away from the ship. I cursed under my breath as our fight took us towards the burning tents and the other battles going on in the camp. At one point I stumbled due to the body of a fellow mutant, the enemy using this opportunity to slash me across the chest. I yelled out in pain and quickly backed off, the griffon grinning at me.
The battle to reclaim our home was long and bloody. For every strike that hit me or was blocked I could see the enemy commander quickly cut down a mutant getting to close to him. Our forces had manages to cut down many unprepared griffins in the first minutes of the fight but now with their commander leading the charge they started to push our troops back. I tried my best to deflect my enemy's strikes but I was getting tired. I was bleeding at several places at once and no strike that went through the griffon's defenses could penetrate his armor.
Finally with a quick swirl of his talon he disarmed me and slashes his blade over my left eye. I gave out a pain filled scream before all air was cut off to my lungs. The griffon commander picked me up with his free talon and he simply slammed me onto my back. I gave of a wheeze and slammed my tail against his armor and I sunk my fangs into his talon but he would not let go. He squeezed harder around my throat before suddenly he was sent flying.
I coughed and wheezed, trying desperately to get up and get my bearings. I struggled to look around with my good eye to see Commander Fylk burying his teeth into the griffins leader's neck. The soldier that had been moments away from killing me before screamed in pain and desperately searched for something to defend himself with. The wolf-pony on top of him easily tore away the griffon's armor but couldn't quite get in a killing blow. With my damaged vision I noticed it too late, a spear lying close to the two struggling army leaders. I took of sprinting towards them and picked up another sword laying on the ground, hoping I'd make it in time.
"Die you damn dog!" The griffin yelled and stabbed the spear into Fylk's gut.
"No!" I yelled and slammed into the enemy commander.
I rolled a few meters with the griffon before we came to a stop. I was exhausted and everything hurt, but I was still lucid enough to notice the blank expression on the enemy's face. The bastard that had stabbed Fylk was dead on the grund, my sword sticking out from his chest. I simply stumbled back to my leader and noticed him pulling out the spear. I hurried to his side and held his head as I saw griffins fleeing towards their ship.
"Get to the ship son.." Fylk spat out and growled at the fleeing griffins.
"I'm not leaving you commander you need to see a mage now-" I started only to be cut off.
"NOW! If we loose that ship we're all dead anyway!" He yelled and I winced.
"I can get you away from the battlefield and then join the others-" I tried but was cut off once again.
"That is an order Enjo! Our people and nation always comes first!" Fylk yelled with a growl.
I swallowed thickly before responding. "Yes sir."
I left my injured commander's side and rushed towards the wooden platform and ship once more. My battle with the enemy leader had lead me maybe a two-hundred meters away from the ship, but that would be all the flying chickens would need to destroy us. Even with my injuries I ran for the platform, scaling the ramp that lead to the podium. From there I ran up another ramp until I finally got to the ship. I saw a few of our soldiers doing their best to protect Saren as the hippogriff tried to make the damn ship fly.
I ran across the deck, cutting down any griffon that wasn't prepared. I noticed a large piece of cloth hanging above us partially filled with air and then I noticed a strange device underneath it. I hit the griffon invention with my tail and suddenly flames erupted from it. The cloth started to expand and the platform the ship rested on started to creek. I saw Fylk's second in command spin the strange wheel used to steer the ship and slowly but surly we started to fly. Many more griffins took to the air now while our own soldiers ran. This had been part of the plan.
Our soldiers quickly cut their ways to the large canons at the front of the ship and fired upon the groups of griffins flying towards us. The griffins had lost their commander, their ship and now finally most of their soldiers. The mountain pissers still remaining on the ship laid down their arms in surrender and our people cheered. I simply sat down on the floor and dropped the sword clutched tightly in my tail.
"Commander Fylk is injured!" I yelled to Saren and pointed towards the area where I had left the commander.
The hippogriff quickly jumped over the side of the ship and flew towards the injured commander while the ship started to lower itself towards the ground. I didn't understand how our soldiers figured it out but it didn't matter, all that mattered was Fylk's survival. I saw the other mutants looking worried as we landed and the same second we could get off the ship I hurried towards the spot our leader had last been seen.
As I saw Saren clutching one of Fylk's hooves I sped up. I made it to their side and watched my commander with great worry as a mage hurried towards us to heal the injury. The wolf-pony was slipping in and out of consciousness but once he spotted me he smiled. The older mutant mumbled something I couldn't hear so I bent down to pick up on his message better. I needed to know what he wanted from me.
"Get to Equestria son.. Kill the mad king and then rest. The other tribes will have to unite under our banner after all of this.." He coughed and looked up at the sky.
"I won't be able to lead the charge, that is up to you." The mutant said and turned his head to Saren who nodded.
The mage started to quickly work her healing spells on the mutant who grunted in pain. With his orders given we all packed what we would need for the journey before boarding the ship. We were unable to say goodbye to the commander as he was put in a magic induced coma by the healers. My own wounds were bandaged up and healed to the mages best abilities, but my eye was beyond repair. The best they could do was to make it look like an eye again, but it was a milky white that made look older than I was. I wrote a quick letter to my parents and gave it to a messenger before the ship finally took off towards Equestria. There was only one more battle to win before our desert would be a nation and our people would govern themselves.
Only one more battle and we would all be free.
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Author's Note
Finally. We're getting closer towards the end and I am so happy about that. I wondered if I should've tried to get the chapter to 7k words but I quickly realized that would be padding. There will be parts planned for this chapter in the next, mainly things from Celestia's POV and finally all armies moving towards Canterlot. I am so excited for all the ~~death~~ character interactions that will play out.
Also the story just 200k words which is amazing. It thanks to you guys I've gotten this far and I am happy you've followed for this wild ride ^^
Anyway I hope you liked the chapter and that you all will have a nice day
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Chapter twenty-seven: The angel and the broken princess
Celestia's POV
Pain. The world was nothing but pain.
The second time I opened my eyes I was no longer in my armor and I could move my legs without feeling like they would shatter. I raised my head from the white blood-stained sheets and looked around the room I had been confined to since the attack upon Baltimare. It had once been a storage area in a basement but now it had transformed into a makeshift hospital. My room was shielded from the rest of the basement with white blankets hanging from the ceiling, preventing the soldiers and commoners from eyeing me as I healed.
The bed I was laying on had been a table once I think. With the use of magic had the once hard wooden construct been transformed into a comfortable madrass. The white sheets covering it had most likely been changed many times as the healers worked on me, but there was still blood. I shakily tried to get up and gritted my teeth in my pain as all my muscles cried out for me to stop. I pushed down the feeling and got off the bed, my eyes landing on a mirror. I could see my white muzzle, a long scar now going across it and my blood shot eyes.
I tried to walk closer to the mirror so I could examine the injuries but every step felt like I was walking on fire. I pushed through the pain and walked up to the mirror to examine myself more clearly. The scar on my muzzle and my blood shot eyes looked so out of place, like they didn't belong there. I looked over the rest of my body with growing dread as I saw more scars and patches of dark fur. I had burn marks over my chest and front legs from the heat of the blast. Shrapnel that had flown through the air had managed to badly cut my flank and back legs as well as my back. I had bandages wrapped around my whole body which I was forced to move with my magic to observe the injuries.
Every time I reaches for my magic it hurt, like someone was trying to drill through my skull. I discovered a small crack in my long white horn that glowed brightly whenever I lit up my magic and I stopped with a growl. I then looked over my shoulder at my bandaged wings, the two appendages tightly wrapped to my body. I undid the bandages with my mouth and magic, allowing my wings to feel the cool air of the room. Immediately I knew something was wrong by how much they hurt. I tried to move them only to yell out in agony as all the muscles in my back screamed for me to stop. I hunched down like I was trying to hide from the pain, like I was a child again.
"Stop that right now! You need rest child!" Star Swirl's voice carried out over the room unlike the whispers from outside my part of the basement.
The old mage had pulled one of the blankets aside and hurried to my side, restraining my wings using his magic. I growled and stood tall, giving my old teacher a glare. I was the first born of Faust and Solaris, one of the rulers of west and supreme commander of our forces. Almost immediately he stopped and backed away with a respectful bow. I would not be coddled like a filly when Luna was out there and our soldiers were dying in the hundreds. I took a deep breath and slowly spread my wings, every little movement causing me tremendous pain. Once I finally managed to unfold them they looked disheveled, sad.
My feathers were bent and ruffled no matter were I looked. My wings looked oddly shaped, like the bones hadn't healed correctly. The worst part was the pain it brought to my soul looking at them. It was any winged creature's pride to sour over the skies, to defeat your enemies from above. You always held the high ground no matter what and only a formidable foe could match such strength. I could feel tears flowing down my cheeks, making my wounds sting. But I didn't care, that pain was nothing compared to this.
"They did all they could.. But you will never fly again.." The old stallion murmured sadly as he watched me.
Every soldier, healer and commoner in the basement looked through the hole Star Swirl had made one his way in. The wall of white blankets were gone and they could all see me sob in despair. But that didn't matter, nothing mattered in that moment. They looked upon me with sadness and pity as I cried, their unbeatable princess at her lowest. And I let them watch. It didn't matter anymore, none of it did.
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I didn't know how much time passed down there in that basement. But as it passed it hurt less to walk and the most severe injures inside my body slowly healed. I spent most of my time walking around among the other wounded, giving them encouraging words or listening to their sorrow. It hurt to see my subjects suffer like this, to see them all broken and hurt. Their injuries ranged from flesh wounds to loss of limbs. I talked to one mare who had lost her left front leg, the solider keeping up a calm demeanor for me. But I could tell she was holding back despair and dark thoughts, not wanting them to rule over her. The healers said that her injuries were to severe and all they could do was make sure she passed without pain. She told me that she would make it for our nation.
The next time I passed that mare she was no longer moving.
It was Tartarus to wait around for rescue. I watched as delirious soldiers moaned out loved ones names, hoping someone would answer them. I saw the healers work themselves to the bone, many of them passing out from exhaustion trying to save the life of a single pony. Too often I saw them fail and another of my subjects meet a painful end. I tried to help the best I could, but my cracked horn prevented me from using powerful spells. We were all slowly dying down here and being saved seemed to be more and more of a dream. I just wanted to hold Luna one more time, to tell her how much I loved her. I just wanted to see her again.
Hours passed, water ran out for the wounded and the last healers were starting to break down. Star Swirl hadn't much mana left, the old mage having told me about his seal on the cellar door leading to the basement. I had examined the spell and concluded the griffins would not be able to physically break through it with a weapon. But if a mage held enough power they could try. It was not a pretty image, the thought of the griffins maybe using one of our own to break Star Swirl's seal at his weakest.
It was during this time the seal was breached.
Star Swirl heard voices by the hatch and felt another mage reaching out to tamper with the spell. The old wizard dispelled the ward himself and swiftly blasted whatever was at the other side. With speed his old bones shouldn't have allowed the arch mage hurried up through the hole into the ruins of Baltimare. I tried to follow but a soldier stopped me and forced me to stay down with the others. He had been ordered to keep me safe by the bearded mage.
As there was no sound of battle but rather a familiar groan I relaxed and waited. I saw my old magic teacher appear at the top of the stairs leading up from the basement with a tired smile on his face. I hurriedly passed the guard Star Swirl had assigned to me and I soon felt fresh air fill my lungs. I looked upon the faces of several ponies who all bowed at the sight of me. All of them looked horrified at my dirty coat and injuries, but they didn't say anything. They held too much respect for me to say something about my current state of being.
"You look like hell." The human commented and I couldn't help but chuckle.
All but him.
"You do not look better Guardian Sol." I stated and looked to my left upon my sister's chosen warrior.
He looked older since he left for Everfree with the other Lunar Guardians. There was something about his green eyes, a new darkness had been added to them that hadn't been there before. So he had taken lives. I was not surprised about that fact, me and Luna had commanded him to defend Everfree knowing he'd be forced to kill. But even with all that had happened between us I couldn't help but pity him. I had taken his youth from him by sending him to war.
The man was wearing the same black armor he had been given before leaving Canterlot, but it was slightly damaged. I could see patches where the armor had been pierced or ripped away in the middle of battle. I could even see dried blood on his boots and clothes, still there despite rain or attempts to wash them away. They would always haunt him no matter how much he tried to clean them away. His weapons seemed to be mostly in good condition with the bow granted to him by my sister having a few patches of wood cut by enemy blades.
My mane and tail didn't have their normal magical energy flowing through them. Clinging to my injured body in an uncomfortable way. I looked like a wreck compared to the human at this moment and I hated the feeling of giving him some kind of leverage. But I banished such thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on the most important thing, Luna. Nathaniel cared for her as much as I did, so he had to hold information on her whereabouts. I had a bad feeling creeping over me as I thought about it, but I ignored it. My sister was fine. She had to be.
"Where is Luna?" I asked him slowly.
His expression grew dark and sad, making my heart race. "She.. They.. They killed her.. They killed her.. There is nothing left of Fillydelphia."
I felt like my heart shattered into million tiny pieces and I stumbled. I blankly stared into space before suddenly a scream of rage and anger tore through my throat as I let out a magical blast from my horn. It almost hit the human but I didn't care. It slammed into ruined buildings and made rocks catch on fire as it passed. When I finally calmed down I stumbled once more and was caught by some of the soldiers the Lunar Guardian had brought with him.
"I am so sorry sister," I said and started to weep, "I am so sorry."
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Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
The negotiations with the minotaur and yak leaders were slow. After the battle had been won we had been forced by the northern armies to lower the Spellbinder onto the ground. The Equestrian flag we had put by the crows nest had saved us from being bombarded by the yaks' catapults. But we were still considered hostiles until I informed them about who they were speaking to. With them knowing my role as lord protector of Equestria I was swiftly taken to the tent where the north's two most powerful leaders awaited us. My crew was to wait outside while I saw our northern allies. Lord Orin, ruler of the minotaur city state of Minos and the most well known warrior among the minotaur ranks. Next to him stood king Natesh, ruler over the yak kingdom that covered most of the northern mountains.
I gave them a polite bow as we entered the white tent the two leders were using to plan their next move. The tent was probably ten meters in width and length, giving the two plenty of space to hold tables filled with maps. The ground was covered in a brown cloth to guard the inhabitants against the cold hard soil while there was a fire burning in the middle of the tent. Lord Orin motioned for me to step forward with his hand while King Natesh eyed me suspiciously. They were not entirely trusting of our nation, they never had been. But now it was time for a united front, not bloody infighting.
"My Lord Orin, your majesty Matesh. My name is Silver Wing, lord protector of Equestria and guardian of the realm." I told them with my head raised high.
Lord Orin watched me before nodding. He was a large creature, easily taller the human and princess Luna. Only Celestia could possibly compete against his length and that was if one counted her horn. His body structure reminded me Nathaniel a bit. But where the human had mostly hairless legs ending in feet were Orin's legs covered in a thick brown layer of fur and his legs ended in hooves. His torso was a lot like the human's, but with muscle ripping underneath the thick winter fur covering his upper body. His head was that of a bull, with a brown layer of fur having been braided on his head with golden rings and jewels. The minotaurs' leader was dressed in a loincloth and thick brown leather armor. The leather had most likely been gathered from one of the many predators that lived in the mountains.
King Natesh was a bulky yak, his fur almost touching the ground in some places while armor held it back at others. His fur was surprisingly white with a few black patches being seen in on the fur braided on his head. The yak was wearing heavy iron armor with his golden crown proudly displayed on his head. The yak leader might not have been as tall as Orin, but he surly made up for it with his sheer size. He was a mountain of muscle just like Lord Orin, most likely being able to shatter rock with one kick. The yak eyed me before speaking, his low dark voice filling the tent.
"You have come far up north pony. What do you seek here with one of their ships?" Natesh spat with a growl, but I remained unfazed.
"The ship is ours, as is the way to make them fly. The griffins stole the knowledge from us, hoping to reduce our nation to ashes." I told both leaders.
"You created those ships!? Give me one good reason to not gut you here and now!" The yak yelled in anger, his eyes ablaze with fury.
My wing rested on the spear of Arx before I responded. "Becuase we need your help."
Lord Orin had remained silent during the conversation. His ears flicked as he heard my plea for help however. There was confusion on the minoatur's face, his brown eyes watching me curiously. He did not seem prone to anger, if anything he was almost eerily calm. The large warrior seemed to think over what I had said before he joined the conversation. This leader was more than just muscles and a temperament.
"The ponies comes to us asking for aid, when they control the weather, magic and the sun itself.." He murmured.
"The coast has fallen. We do not know how the efforts in reclaiming it goes for our troops, but the situation is grim. They have their flag ship flying over Equestrian soil as we speak and the southern border has fallen as well. The dark empress has joined them for unknown reasons. If we do not act then Canterlot will fall." I said grimly.
"Let it burn! You caused this war in the first place by allowing them to take your technology! We will not send our soldiers to die on the behest of your coward princesses!" Natesh yelled.
A low growl ripped through my throat and I eyed him. "What did you just call them?"
"ENOUGH." Orin's booming voice filled the tent and I turned my head to the minotaur.
"Orin we cannot allow ourselves to jump into this pit the ponies dug for themselves! If Guto simply wants Equestria then let him have it!" The king hissed to the lord of Minos.
"Guto will not be satisfied with Equestria. Unless you have forgotten old friend, the ponies land is the wall between us and the griffins. They haven't dared to pass the mountains to reach us but with these flying ships and the way open for them to come here easily with many soldiers? They would crush us and you know it." Orin said calmly.
A growl rose from Natesh throat but he seemed to think over the minotaur's words. "If what you say is true, then what difference does it make if we send down our forces from the mountain? They would be slaughtered there instead of here."
"We have Faust's chosen guardian leading our troops on the coast and the last remnants of the dragon nation." I quickly told them both, hoping the promise of divine leadership would convince them.
Both leaders' heads turned to me as I mentioned Faust's chosen guardian. It hadn't been a well known thing until Nathaniel arrived that Faust had even chosen a guardian. But most world leaders seemed to know more about it then the princesses, which included the dragons and the zebras. I hoped I was not building the human up to be something he was not. Nathaniel was leading those troops thanks to the advice and extra leadership provided by his more experienced squad, but that was not something lord Orin or king Natesh needed to know.
"You lie lord protector. Faust died before she could choose such a guardian and her daughters were not to be told about the act." The yak protested.
Orin hummed before he gave his answer. "So the prophecy was true then? I imagined it would take more time before this guardian would appear, but fate sometimes blesses us with luck. Tell me, what is the name of this pony?" The war-lord asked me calmly.
"He is no pony my Lord." A female voice suddenly said and I turned around to the sight of Equestria's most well regarded diplomat and ambassador, Peace Treaty.
"My lady." I said with a nod.
The mare was dressed in a warm brown coat that covered her turquoise fur. She was wearing a warm hat over her head, the diplomat's dark blue mane not entirely covered by the piece of apparel. Her light blue eyes watched the two rulers before she did an intricate bow before them. She was slightly shaking, either from being nervous or the cold weather outside. I couldn't really tell it was cold with my fear and anger currently burning through my veins. If we couldn't convince them soon we were all dead.
"Then what is he? Don't tell me the dragons got another ego boost.." The minotaur muttered and looked over the map on the tabel.
"He is what we call a 'human' my lord. He is an ape like creature from far away." Peace told both the rulers with a kind smile.
"An ape!? Ha! Do you think us so dumb to believe that Faust would choose an ape to guard the realm?" Natesh laughed.
Orin just watched her. "A human you say? I have never heard of such a creature before."
Peace just continued to smile her trained politician's smile. "He is one of princess Luna's guardians and leader over our forces at the coast."
Wait, what?
"Does guardian Sol hold control over all troops?" I questioned her, partially to get information and partially to hype up the human as a great leader.
"He does in the absence of you, the princesses or the senior Solar Guardians. Normally such a task would fall upon the senior Lunar guardian, but as Faust herself chose him as her champion things have changed." Peace Treaty informed me.
So we had given a teen the command of an entire army with a few months of training? I wanted to groan at the thought and I almost pitied the human. All the bullshit he would be forced to sit through when leading armed forces would not sit well with his personality. Nathaniel was all about freedom and leadership was chains under a different name.
"He is also in control over the last dragons. They obey his will and his will alone, as it was written." The mare then added.
Natesh looked unconvinced and he looked prepared to throw us out. Orin on the other hoof looked thoughtful and pondered over the information given to him. I could only hope they would lend us their aid in this time of need. They were our allies, but when the enemy we faced were this great that could mean nothing to them. I prayed to Solaris and Faust to help me save their children and the nation they had helped build. I hoped Faust listened from the heavens as Solaris was unlikely to grant wishes from his tomb.
"I'll call for my guards. I will throw them out of camp and-" Natesh started.
"Me and my men will you join shortly." Orin told me and Peace.
Natesh stopped the minotaur as he headed for the entrance. "You cannot be serious! They caused this problem in the first place! If we join them then we are allowing them to walk away without consequences!" The yak hissed at him.
"And if we don't join them we are doomed to die here instead. If Faust's chosen truly leads them then the path to victory lies with him. If the gods will it we shall survive this war." Orin said before leaving the tent.
Natesh looked furious before glaring at us. "The yaks are not cowards. We will go with you and face down Guto. But know this, if you betray us then I'll cut down you where you stand." The king said before leaving the tent.
Peace turned to me with a tired smile before speaking. "Well.. That was surly impressive.."
The tired mare passed out from exhaustion and I caught her with one of my for-legs. She had done good in helping me convince the two rulers to fight with us. The poor mare must have avoided sleeping to get here as quickly as she had, to help us gain the last push we needed to win. But now was the time for diplomacy over, only soldiers and battles remained. My face grew stoic as I thought of the coming battle and I called for Violet Shield. She and the others had remained outside as promised but now I needed their help.
"Get her onto our ship, do the same with the ponies she came with. Then prepare it to leave, we march for Canterlot." I informed my second in command who nodded slowly.
You wanted a war Guto? I would give you a damn war.
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Nathaniel POV
The human held out his hand over the campfire to warm them in the chilly spring evening. Nathaniel had allowed Rose and Osiris deal with Celestia, he had no wish to speak with her. It wasn't just his general dislike of the mare anymore, it was that dead look in her eyes. The same second he'd told her about Luna is was like something had cracked. The outburst she had then sent his way in pure rage and grief would have killed him if it had hit. Such anger and sadness reminded Nate of himself when he had killed the griffon captain.
It terrified him.
The guardian stood there for a couple of more minutes before he stepped away from the warm campfire. By this point had the army once again set up a temporary camp among the ruins. The soldiers were tired, hungry and many had lost friends along the way. Morale was low, even with the knowledge of Celestia's survival. The soldiers that had fought their way through Everfree and Baltimare were slowly loosing their spirit from all the death. Nathaniel felt similarly to all of them, wanting nothing but to lat down and rest. But they had a job to do. Young or old, injured or healthy, sane or at the breaking point. They would all have to contribute to the final push.
There was some laughter in the camp however. Alcohol had been found in the ruins of restaurant wine cellars and the loot had been shared around camp. The commanding officers had frowned upon the looting of the ruins before they spotted Osiris walking away with a cart filled with alcohol. At that point it was better to just allow the soldiers some minor pleasures before they had to face down Empress Dreams and Guto.
Nate pined for some alcohol at that moment and he searched for Osiris' tent. Nate walked for over fifteen minutes among the numerous green and brown tents, seeing both happy and depressed soldiers along the way. What was different this time as he walked through camp was the sheer reverence the soldiers held for him. With the dragons refusing to obey anyone but him and with Celestia being found they viewed him as some sort of leader. He liked the feeling of such power, of the pure belief some ponies now placed in him when all hope seemed lost. It also made him feel uneasy and scared. The teen was not a military leader, Nathan was just a bodyguard with a fancier title.
With a relieved sigh the human found his friend's tent after looking for it among the rows of soldier living quarters. As he stepped inside he was met by the sight of the southern stallion talking to an unknown mare. They were both drinking wine and looked quite flustered. The man just backpedaled and tried to not be seen by the two, hoping to not interrupt them. It was of course then his foot his a crate filled with wine bottles on the floor, drawing attention to himself.
"Ey kid! Come say hi to Blossom!" The stallion slurred with a grin and gestured to the mare in front of him.
Blossom was a pink mare with a yellow mane and tail. Her pink eyes seemed to move a bit slowly but she quickly smiled at the human. She was holding the wine glass with one of her front hooves and she sipped down some more alcohol before eyeing the teen. She gave Osiris a curious look and the former scout only nodded in response.
"So you're that monkey that saved our asses." She slurred and stumbled up to Nathaniel.
The human grew a bit uncomfortable but he answered anyway. "Yeah I guess?.."
"That's amazing! I wish Osiris had introduced you to me earlier~" She purred and placed both her forelegs on the green eyed man's torso.
"I.. Um.. Rose?" He called over his shoulder, hoping to be saved from Blossom's bedroom eyes.
Blossom only giggled. "Let that bat-pony enjoy her night and I'll make you enjoy yours~"
Nathan decided to just grab a bottle of wine and get out of there. He gently set down the mare who pouted in disappointment before grabbing a bottle from the crate his foot had hit. Nathaniel gave Osiris a polite smile before quickly leaving the tent, allowing the two love birds to resume their earlier 'conversation'. The man just wandered around the camp, drinking from his bottle before he noticed the large white tent in the middle of the camp. Celestia had been forced to rest once more after her outburst and Star Swirl wouldn't allow her to leave the bed.
The old mage was sitting outside the white tent with a tired look on his face that screamed of exhaustion. The guards that were meant to guard the princess was whispering to each other and giving the tents concerned looks. Their leader had been recovered, but in a broken state. She was unable to fly, too injured to fight and her already stressed mind had taken a turn for the worse when she learnt of Luna's death. The man looked at the ground for a second before his compassion won over his spite.
"Dammit.." Nate sighed and headed for the tent.
The soldiers saw him approach and they bowed. One of the guards motioned him to follow to a patch of grass behind the large white tent. The human followed the guard who looked even more tired than Star Swirl. The purple coated guard still had scars that were healing and he seemed to be permanently limping. Once they stood behind the tent the soldier removed his helmet and looked at the human.
"We are all tired lord Sol." The pony confessed and eyed the ground.
"I know." Nathan responded and released a heavy breath.
The soldier sighed before continuing. "We are running out of food, our weapons are breaking and all our leaders are either broken, dead or inexperienced. The soldiers that arrived have ensured we can hold these ruins. But a few thousand tired soldiers with low morale against Guto's beast? Sir, we need to fall back while we still can."
Nate looked at the stallion in surprise before answering. "After all of that you want us to just run away? We managed to push the griffins out of Everfree! The lord protector is coming with reinforcements! We can still win this!" Nathaniel insisted.
"No sir, we can't. Look around you guardian Sol, where do you think our army came from?" The soldier asked the human.
"The coast.." The teen realized.
"Their famlies are dead sir. They have nopony left. In times like these we normally put in faith in our leaders, but.. The lord protector might be dead, princess Luna is gone and Celestia is broken. Our troops, with or without the dragons, have run out of motivation. They don't know what we're fighting for anymore and neither do I.." The stallion said and limped away with his head hanging low.
Nathan stood by the tent's back entrance and thought over what the soldier had said. Hope was slowly dying across camp, even with Celestia. The princess of the sun was no longer the same mare that left Canterlot. No one was the same since they left Canterlot. They had hoped for divine guidance from Faust's firstborn, instead they got a leader who had lost her way. The human growled and marched up to the tent entrance, pushing the guards aside. All the mares and stallions in the Everfree would not have died for nothing. He wouldn't allow it.
The human entered the tent and he looked upon the inside with discomfort. There wasn't much inside the princess' temporarily home, only a bed and one table with a map on it. Nathan gazed upon the alicorn standing by the table, her head hung low. Celestia was now dressed in a white robe made from silk. Where the soldiers had gotten it from the human didn't know and he didn't care. The solar monarch's mane was no longer flowing in a nonexistent breeze, clinging to the mare's head and side. She seemed to be depleted on mana as well, even with all the rest she had been doing.
"What do you want?" Celestia asked Nathaniel with a cold tone.
"I want to win this war. I want to fucking sleep. I want some damn liquor. But do you know what I want more than any of that? You acting like a leader! You sit in here and brood while Luna's murder is on his way to destroy your capital! If she saw you now she would be disappointed! You are already a disappointment to the troops! You are a disappointment to all those who have died! You are spitting on their graves by just sitting around doing nothing!" The man started.
Celestia stopped his rant by twirling around and smacking him across the jaw. The human landed on the ground and spat some blood on the dirt. He healed the minor wound quickly, but the act still made his blood boil even more. He got up and watched the princess' poisonous glare fixate on his eyes. Celestia was angry, but Nate had plenty of fury and rage to share as well.
"How dare you? How dare you? " The alicorn hissed and took a step towards him.
Nathan stood his ground and didn't back away from the princess. "You are supposed to be a great leader. You are supposed to be able to defend the realm! You were supposed to protect Luna in our absence instead you let her die!"
"You know nothing of what you speak of child." She growled.
Great thunder sounded above the ruins and the teen could hear rain hitting the tent. "I am not a child!"
"Yes you are. A foolish child who thinks himself a defender of a world he barely knows. I know the prophecy now and I laugh! You are not a hero sent by my mother to offer salvation, you are a child stumbling in darkness telling himself it's light!" Celestia yelled and pushed the human out of the tent.
Nathan hit the muddy ground and got up with a growl. "Fuck you! You are the reason Luna is dead! You are the reason why this war broke out in the first place!"
"I will make you suffer!" The solar princess said and grabbed a sword from a nearby guard.
"Try me and I'll happily feed you to my fucking dog!" The human yelled in anger and drew his own sword.
"THAT IS ENOUGH!!!" Rose yelled and the sanguine mare suddenly pulled the human away from the princess.
"Please princess you are still injured! Don't do something foolish!" A guard said trying to hold back the alicorn.
The guards and lunar guardian restrained the human and monarch, both glaring daggers at each other. Finally when they calmed down they were set free. Celestia looked around at the scared and sad looks of her people and she sat down. The rain washed away tears of anger she had been crying moments before. Nathan just saw the disapproval and disappointment on Rose's face, making him sheet his weapon. With the anger leaving his body Nate just felt tired. He had just reached a boiling point and needed to let it out.
"We.. We need to attack Guto's ship. If he looses that then we can win this war. Without his flagship their fleet won't stand a chance against the dragons." Nathan told the princess reluctantly.
"I have sent enough of my people to die guardian Sol. What makes you think attacking his ship with tired and bruised soldiers will do? With those canons he can tear apart our ground troops and any pegasi trying to get up there will be filled with arrows. We need soldiers and power we don't have to win this battle." Celestia sighed.
"Because I believe in them! I'm eighteen years old and even I can see the spark in their eyes! They're looking for hope and this might be the last chance we get! Please give them the order to march!" The man pleaded with her.
"The ship is to fast. We cannot catch up with it even if we marched now. It is lost Nathaniel.. We lost.." She said in a broken tone.
The soldiers looked horrified and many lowered their head. Equestria was at its darkest hour, surrounded by enemies and all hope seeming lost. It was then the sound of metal armor drew their attention to one of the paths among the tents. A group of soldiers escorted a bruised and bleeding hippogriff to them. Once they reached the princess they slammed the unknown hippogriff onto the ground. He was clad in armor made from sky-metal with one side of the armor slightly blackened from some sort of spell. His brown eyes and brown feathers made him look remarkably similar to the griffon king.
"Crown Prince Tyr of Griffonia." Celestia growled and eyed and injured hippogriff.
The human was taken aback by the information before eyeing the prince more closely. The armor was not something easily come by and the wounds that had injured one of his wings reminded him of the scorched earth of the coastal ruins. Why had their enemy's son come all the way to the coast? What prize was Guto looking for that was worth sending the crown prince into enemy territory?
"Former crown prince.." Tyr spat back and was rewarded with a kick into his side, it hurt the guard's hoof more than the prince.
"Why have you come here? If your father is foolish enough to send you here then it must be important." Rose chimed in and walked up to stand beside the human.
"I came to help you." Tyr claimed and Celestia scoffed.
"Help? With what? Killing our people? You have done enough of that already." The princess growled.
"I came to tell you that the Ygrid has slowed down. Corruption sickness have erupted on the ship and they are excepting a valuable prisoner. It have interrupted the journey to Canterlot." The hippogriff told them.
Nathan's eyes lit up, hope starting to appear in his chest. "Who is the prisoner?"
"Princess Luna. She's alive." Tyr said and all grew silent.
With the guards no longer holding the prince down he stood up and looked at the white alicorn. Celestia looked to be in shock before her mane started to flow slightly. Hope was a powerful emotion. It could make an army on the brink of destruction turn the tides of war. It could make a man without the will to live find meaning again. It could make broken leaders whole once more.
"Why should we trust your words? Why would you betray your father?" Rose asked him.
"Because that griffon is not my father. He is a bloodthirsty monster that wants nothing but war! That is not the king who raised me, that is not the king who I knew. I love my father, but not even love can make me blind to the crimes he has committed! I know you have no reason to trust my words, but this is your only chance to win." The prince said with determination.
It was silent for over a minute before Celestia spoke. "Guardian Thorn."
"Yes your highness?" The sanguine asked the alicorn with a neutral tone.
"Prepare our troops. One final march, for our people." The princess of the sun said and the soldiers cheered.
There was a goal once more. They had a reason to fight. Nathaniel just knew one thing, he was gonna save Luna no matter what it cost him. The teen would not allow Guto to lay his talons on the princess and if he had hurt her then human would rip his head from his neck, on this he swore.
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Hidden Sorrow's POV
I his under the blanket the nice bug-pony had given me and watched her take on different forms. The cart she was using to hide me slowly moved forward as she had taken the form of a hippogriff farmer. I remember seeing a few of them when me and mother visited the griffins before. Many of them looked so sad and I had wondered why, mom telling me they weren't liked by their king. It was stupid that he didn't like them, they gave us bread!
Suddenly the cart stopped and Chrysalis pulled the blanket off me. She ushered me towards a small boat the griffins had stored among the large flying boats. I wanted to touch them but she pushed me forwards until we were on the boat. She made the boat fly really quickly and we left the griffin castle behind us. She wrapped her hooves around my neck and kissed my forehead, promising me that I would see my mother again. I hugged her back and nuzzled into her strange mane. I wanted mom to hug me again.
But she promised me that we were gonna go home and find mother. Chrysalis didn't sleep or eat, she just watched me and steered the small boat. I liked the boat as the winds would make it rock back and forth, making me laugh. She really liked it when I laughed. So I laughed and smiled to make her smile, just like I did with mom at home. She needed smiles and I really wanted to share mine with her.
Chrysalis said that my mom wasn't in the large palace anymore but in Equestria. She told me that we had to go there to meet her and I felt really happy about that. Equestria was closer than the palace! I would see my mother soon. I just smiled and smiled as we got closer to Equstria with the boat, no mean griffins trying to stop us. I would soon hug mom again and sleep on my bed again and play with my friends!
"Your mother might look scary when we arrive child, but you need to look at her when we land. She needs to see you to stop doing something stupid." Chrysalis said.
"But my mother would never do something stupid! She's the smartest mom in the world!" I said to her, because it was the truth.
"We all do something stupid child. We all do something stupid.." The bug-pony sighed.
Maybe my mom had done something stupid, but that didn't mean I no longer wanted to hug her! I wanted to hear her sing another lullaby again and read me a book on heroes and demons. I wanted to go home, but mom was home. I felt confused before feeling determined. I was gonna see mom again no matter what. I wanted her to hold me again so I didn't remember mean Guto hurting me. I was coming home mother, I was almost there!
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Author's Note
Thanks for reading another chapter! We are moving into the final battle in the next chapter, I hope you are prepared.
Chapter Twenty-eight: Angelic vengeance
The army was marching.
Nathaniel was following Osiris with Blaze at his side. The wolf was tense and growled at the smell of smoke in the air, villages having been burnt by the griffon forces. The army of Darkest Dreams had swept through the south and defeated almost any resistance in its way, the empress not taking any prisoners as she tore the nation in two. Any soldiers that had tried to slow the enemy down were killed, impaled on red crystal spikes. The griffin navy had in return dropped of more soldiers after their victory at the coast, these troops marching and flying towards Canterlot. They had run into a few of these enemy soldiers raiding towns and villages along the way. Celestia had ordered the human to cut them down, which he did without hesitation.
The more time the army spent on minor skirmishes along the road the more time Guto had to torture Luna. Neither the human or alicorn wanted to waste any time, but Nathan was often the one slowing them down. The man would walk among burnt husks of former homes and look upon the destroyed lives with sadness. The teen would at times find families hiding in these ruins, helping them to the main army. The princess didn't like him, nor the fact he wasted time by exploring ruined villages. But whenever she saw a family reunited with their sons, fathers, mothers or daughters in the army she would smile. It wasn't much, after all those families had been through, but it was something.
The army of a little over four thousand ponies had been traveling for two days straight, quickly approaching the Ygrid and Canterlot. The griffon flagship was slowed down thanks to the actions of the Griffonian prince, but it hadn't been enough to fully stop it. They would need to reach it and the griffon king's forces before the third day was over or there would be nothing standing between the capital and total destruction. Nate swallowed at the thought of Canterlot burning, at the thought of Guto winning. If the mad king won the next battle then no one else would be able to oppose him.
"Kid, take a deep breath. You're making the hound anxious with you're pacing and muttering." The southern pony said.
"I'm not muttering." The man said with a mumble.
Osiris let out a small breath akin to a laugh at that. "Yes you are. You're not the only one who's worried or fearing for the worst, but try to stay calm. The soldiers look up to you as a leader now, as does the dragons. You are a guardian, the first non-pony to bear that title. Show our people that you have earned to bear it."
Nathaniel nodded at that and stroked the grey fur along Blaze's back, calming the growling wolf. The two friends walked in silence after that conversation, the same silence lingering over the Equestrian army. There wasn't a single pony, dragon or changeling that weren't thinking about the battle to come. The shape-shifters of the army hadn't been seen a lot during the different battles, which was their assignment from the princesses. They caused chaos in enemy ranks through infiltration, but due to their low numbers with their kingdom's fall it was seldom more than an announce to the griffins. The bug ponies seemed the most nervous among the allied ranks, since their wings buzzed when they grew nervous. They were thinking the exact same thing Nathan was thinking.
"I.. I don't want to die." The teen said quietly.
The words were whispered, but many still seemed to pick up on them. Osiris stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to look upon the man. The stallion held an empathetic and sad gaze, hearing the young human utter such words with pure fear. Many older soldiers held similar looks as they watched the pair, they had heard those words from new recruits facing down the griffon army at the coast and scared children separated from their families by the flames of war. The human hated the fact he sounded so weak when he uttered those words. He survived Everfree, Sombra, Faust's trial, Garthram and the coastal ruins. So why did this battle make his spirit shake?
"No one wants to die." The lunar guardian responded honestly.
"I'm scared Osiris. I've been in battle before but this.. We might not.." The man started to ramble.
Osiris pulled Nate down to his knees so they could speak face to face. "I will be with you the entire time. As will Rose, Blaze and the entire Equestrian army. It's ok to be scared Nathaniel, but do not let that fear led to despair. I just told you that they need you to lead them, so fight that fear."
The man took a deep breath before nodding. "I will try. I will try to win."
"Good, because that's all we have left." The stallion sighed and continued to walk.
The human followed his friend with his mind calmer, but the fear still lingered there. The Ygrid had wiped out an entire city, meaning they were facing something so powerful it could defeat them with one lucky hit. The prospect of standing upon a hill drenched with blood as magical fire rained from the heavens made him shudder, but the human would not give in to that fear. What Osiris had told him was correct. He would need to help lead the army to victory or die trying. Guto would not go unpunished after what he had done, Nathan would make sure of that.
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The human left Osiris to speak with the army commanders as the rest of the army marched on. Nate decided to spend his time speaking to Charcoal and asking general questions about the dragons. Nate was just hoping to get the green scaled dragon to speak with him and distract them both from the coming battle. The Ygrid was a couple hours away through a dense forest and steep hills. By the time they reached the flying ship it would be close enough to Canterlot to fire upon it, meaning they would need to pull attention away from the city. But these thoughts were pushed to the side as Charcoal opened up about the dragon lord's death.
"We were watching it happen from one of the cliffs. There was roars, green lights flashing through the smoke and then finally silence. The next thing we know the griffins are cheering loudly enough for us to hear and I just knew old Shadow Claw was dead. He was a though old lizard and they managed to bring him down like it was nothing." The teenage dragon said.
"Did the dragons who faced Guto destroy any of his ships?" The man questioned as they walked among the soldiers.
"I think so, yes. There was more than just dead dragons on the ground when the battle was over, but our strongest were still dead dude." Charcoal sighed.
A silence fell over the two before the human spoke once more. "Do you think we can destroy the flagship? I mean, it's their most powerful weapon and all."
The green scaled dragon watched him with uncertainty before answering the question. "With you leading us? Yeah."
The human was taken back by the praise before smiling. The dragons were placing their trust in him, for him to lead them to victory. They had all put their trust in him hadn't they? Rose, Osiris, Luna, Blaze and even Celestia. They were hoping he would not betray that trust and help them defeat Guto. They wanted him to save this nation, or at least stand on the front lines as the battle began. Nathan would do more than that.
"What would I need to do for being allowed to ride one of you?" The human.
"I mean.. Glare might allow you to ride on his back, him being fully grown and all. Why do you ask?" The green scaled teenage dragon asked.
"Because I'm getting up to that ship." The teen grinned at his dragon friend.
Charcoal blinked before his eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"Guto is up there according to the prince. He won't leave it unless he's forced to, which means we need to get to him. But Luna is also up there and I am not leaving her." Nathaniel growled.
"I'll go ask Glare if he will do it. But be warned, dragons don't fly gently." The teenage dragon said.
Nate just smiled at that. "I'm not planning on boarding his ship peacefully."
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The marching continued, as did Nathaniel's worries and pride. Hours passed as the last remnants of the Equestrian army got closer and closer to the capital, hoping they would arrive in time. It was mid-day when they reached rambling rock ridge. They were only six hours away from the capital now and the tired army could feel it in the air, creeping towards them. Death was close. The commanders ordered the army to rest and eat before they continued, as the next time they stopped it would be because they had reached Guto. Nathan took this opportunity to mediate, climbing the ridge walls until he reached the top. There the human sat down and closed his eyes, breathing slowly.
The break was exactly what Nate needed for the coming battle, as the sounds of birds in the nearby Everfree forest calmed him. The young man allowed his magic 'sense' to stretch out over the surrounding area and with a smile Nate opened his eyes. This part of the country was tense, but life flourished here. The fields of grass that was north of the Everfree would make a good place for a town someday, or at least a good place for a house. The man was brought out of his musing as he heard yelling from below. Before Nathan could process what the soldiers were saying a great shadow covered him. The man looked up to see the hull of a flying ship over his head, a griffon ship.
They had found them.
"They are here!!!" The teen yelled and held out his hand towards rambling rock ridge.
The sound of something metallic flying through the air could be heard before Valkyrie appeared in the guardian's right hand. The war-hammer was enveloped in a green aurora, the levitation spell being easy for the now competent mage. Nathan turned his sights on the ship above him as pegasi flew up from the gorge, joining him on the cliff. They all looked ready for a fight despite them having marched for so long. They were truly resilient creatures.
"Don't let it fire its canons!" The teen instructed to the squad.
They all nodded and flew up towards the ship. Nathan stood on the ground ready for griffin soldiers to drop off the ship but instead the vessel descended, the hull just flouting a couple of centimeters over the ground. The ship had set down next to the human and the pegasi landed next to him in confusion. A strange creature jumped off the ship and eyed the lunar guardian with curiosity. It had snake like eyes that watched Nathan's every move and it held a tail that once again reminded the young man of a snake. Two fangs could be see poking out of the creature's mouth, probably filled with poison of some sort. The rest of its body was that of a pony, making Nate confused.
"Mutant.." One of the pegasi whispered.
The snake pony was joined by other mutants on the ship, all of them carrying weapons and distrustful looks. One was simply a hippogriff with blue and black feathers, seeming relatively normal in the band of ponies mixed with all from dogs to sharks. It was a wonder they had made it there at all, that they had somehow acquired a grifon ship. It was a bloody miracle they hadn't been bombarded with arrows the same second they were spotted.
It was then Rose landed next to the man and growled at the mutants. "Who are you and what do you want?! That is a griffon war-ship!"
The hippogriff stepped forward and looked over his shoulder at his companions. "We have come to aid you, under orders of commander Fylk."
"Commander? I doubt you desert deviling rats have enough power to create a functioning army." The sanguine spat and eyed the ship.
"Keep your hatred for our kind to yourself shadow pony, we are offering you help." The snake pony growled at the mare.
"With a dagger hidden behind your back? Why should we trust your kind?" Rose asked with a growl and spread her wings.
The hippogriff signaled for all the mutants to get off the ship before answering. "Because we're giving you this ship to defeat the mad king."
His answer was unexpected, especially to the bewildered sanguine mare. The soldiers that lacked wings finally made it up to the cliff where the ship had landed, Osiris leading the charge. They stopped as they saw the mutants and the southern pony ordered the troops to stand down. The entire army had been on their to scale the ridge's rocky walls before the order was given to return to camp. There was no threat from these creatures, or at least not yet. The hippogriff demanded an audience with Celestia which Osiris gave them while Rose argued for them to be locked up instead. It was clear the bat-pony and the mutants held a deep hatred for each other.
The newly arrived desert dwellers were brought to the princess of the sun within the hour. The still injured pony leader didn't particularly appreciate the way the mutants had scared her people but as the talks wore on the hippogriff and princess started to gain common ground. It seemed these mutants were here for more than just helping the ponies, as Guto and Darkest Dream's defeat would allow them to form their nation. Many commanders in the Equestrian army weren't thrilled over the idea of giving the infamous desert warriors land, but Celestia's decision was final.
"If you aid us in the battle to come we will help you establish a nation." The alicorn said and all who heard it bowed.
Well, all except Nathan.
"My loyal soldiers have heard about the mad king's son being one of your captives. We will lend you our full support if he is given to us. His father has taken many sons from us, and it's about time he felt that pain." The mutants temporary leader demanded.
Celestia looked thoughtful for a second before shaking her head. "I will not allow such a thing. The prince is young and decided to fight against his father's decision. Killing him will only create more bad blood between your people and the griffins."
"There has always been bad blood between us and it will go away. But fine. If you will not allow us to take the prince we want gold along with your support. We cannot extract resources from the sand without tools, tools that will cost us gold." The hippogriff said with his head held high.
"If it helps save my people you can have your gold." The princess said and nodded to Star Swirl.
"I will write a contract that needs to be signed by your leader. But since you've come alone who will represent your nation?" The old wizard said and quickly started to write up a contract on a piece of paper.
The hippogriff looked at the snake pony who had been the first to step foot on Equestrian soil. The mutant was taken back at first but happily stepped forward. The young looking creature was given a quill and once Star Swirl had finished speed writing the contract the mutant signed it with his name: 'Enjo Steelheart'. There was cheers and the army's morale rose with the addition of the flying ship. Things no longer looked impossible, but that didn't mean there still wasn't fear in the hearts of everyone involved.
The battle wasn't here yet, but it loomed over the horizon in the form of a gigantic flying ship. A ship named after the god of war.
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King Guto of Griffonia's POV
The failure of an empress had finally arrived.
I stood on the upper deck of the Ygrid , surveying the area as my most prized possession flew over the pony landscape. Darkest Dreams had set up camp close to Canterlot in case I would need to besiege the city, but it didn't matter what mages or troops they had inside the walls, they would all fall to my machine of war. I grinned as I watched one of the lifeboats descend towards the army camp below us, ordered to bring the empress here. I would need to inform her about the next step in my plan of conquest once Canterlot fell. The northern mountains looked like a great place to start.
I hadn't heard from captain Garm or seen the Pyxezia since they left to crate chaos in the mountains, but I was certain he would be back soon. The yaks and minotaurs couldn't keep back a soldier like him, not when he controlled the sky. If I didn't hurry he might enslave them all without me. I laughed at that thought and then shivered as the idol whispered to me what victory would bring. I had worked years for this, but only with the idol had I truly seen the right path. There could be no other kingdom, no other authority then me. If there was a king or queen who opposed me they would die.
In my musing it took me a while to see the sick looking griffon soldier at my side, saluting me. Approaching your king without permission was normally a death sentence, but I was in a good mood today. I turned to him, making the soldier cover and lower his head towards the ground. I could clearly see how his eyes held the sickly black veins of the corrupted, marking him as another my son had poisoned. I growled as Tyr's face flashed before my eyes. The idol had commanded his death and I would gladly give it to him. His whore of a mother could make more abominations.
"What do you want soldier?" I growled.
"We have quarantined the sick sir, but many of our canon operators were killed or infected by the explosion. We lack the soldiers needed to man all our canons on upper deck. Many of our canons on lower deck were also lost thanks to the quarantine of the ship my lord. The only way to use them would be if we sent our own into the rooms infested by the corruption and ordered them to fight." The soldier told me.
"Then you will do that. Use the sick that can still stand, death in battle will be more honorable to the gods then dying in a bed as your bones turns into crystal." I informed him.
The soldier looked uncertain and disturbed, but complied with my order as the idol's power washed over him. "I will order the sick to man the canons below deck my lord. Victory for Griffonia!"
"Victory for Griffonia indeed." I responded and returned to watching the army below us.
The camp below held over three thousand strong griffins and two thousand strong shadow ponies. The empress had led them across the southern part of Equestria, ensuring me a swift victory inside the pony homeland. They all looked like ants as they moved about, preparing their equipment for the coming siege. They were expecting my ship to fail turning Canterlot into cinder? Ha! I defeated Celestia with one blast, this would be no exception.
It was then two lifeboats docked to the Ygrid's side. One carried the empress who looked at me coldly but complied with the order given and walked up to me. The other carried a pleasant surprise, a certain alicorn princess with a shapely rump. I grinned as the soldiers dragged princess Luna away from the lifeboat and onto my ship's deck, screaming and kicking at anyone trying to touch her. Darkest Dreams looked away in shame while my grin only grew wider.
"Welcome aboard princess! I hoped my captain would deliver you to me before your capital fell." I said.
"Burn you damn chicken! I will paint the sky with your blood!" She yelled in fury and struggled against her bonds.
I just laughed and walked up to the princess in chains, looking over her. Luna had always been my favorite out of the two sisters for many reasons. She was a true warrior who rarely lost a battle and anyone standing in her way often were forced to move or was cut down. She controlled the night itself and with it the moon, the beautiful white sphere that had lit up the castle when I was a boy. But most importantly she had a spirit thought unbreakable, or at least that what as the rumors said.
"I doubt you can defeat me with a magic suppressor on your horn princess." I growled and placed one of my talons on her head.
The princess was bound with steel chains. These chains connected together her legs and wings, making it hard for her to move much less escape. I grinned and pulled her head up by roughly grabbing a hold of her mane. She defiantly glared at me but I could see fear in her eyes, true fear that no being could fake. I enjoyed seeing her grow more and more desperate as I whistled for the guards to bring out a cage. I threw her into it when my soldiers put it onto the ground, slamming the door after her.
"I will kill you!" She growled.
Once again I laughed. She thought she could kill me with all of these weapons, soliders and firepower backing me? I found her resistance amusing but I knew I couldn't play with her for long. I left her to scream and beat against the cage as I returned to my puppet empress. The mare with demon blood glared at me but she waited for my next command, knowing I held all the cards. Or at least she thought I did. Her spawn had somehow escaped from his cell, but his mother didn't need to know that.
"Do you want me to do anything about the ponies in the Everfree? They can't hide from us forever." She stated coldly.
"Let them hide and fight against my disposable soldiers. Canterlot is the real goal of this conquest, not the coast." I told her.
"Then what are your orders my lord?" The mare asked me.
"Kill any pony that tries to resist this attack. Break their spirit and most will happily leave their city to flee. If you cannot control the villages close to the city burn them to the ground and kill those who oppose you." I ordered and she left with a nod.
Power and control felt good.
After I had given the empress my orders the day continued in a slow pace. Soldiers got to the canons but more grew sick below deck as the sick and injured were forced to operate the weapons. The once sealed doors to all the rooms infected by the corruption were opened to allow easy access to the weaponry, spreading the disease like a plague. I wasn't worried about catching it, I was immune to such things thanks to the idol. But if all my soldiers died mid battle it would be catastrophic for the Ygrid . But luck seemed to smile upon me as I watched one of our ships fly towards us from the south. I recognized it as the Orinion , the ship I had sent to aid our soldiers in the desert. So they had finally wiped them out huh?
I grinned as I watched the other two ships next to the Ygrid . One was captain Steelbeak's ship and it had held Luna for the last few days since we wiped out the coastal cities. The other ship was under the command of general Karil. She was one of the few female griffins who had managed impress me enough to earn such a high position in my army, but her tactical and calm mind served her well in stressful situations. With the Orinion joining us we would have firepower to level Canterlot mountain. I grinned as I watched the fruit of my labor, ordering my soldiers to target the city. We had been in range for a while, but now the combined destruction of the flagship's all canons would destroy the capital completely.
"Aim!" I ordered and all griffins on deck turned the large heavy canons towards Canterlot.
Father, I hope you're watching me with pride now.
"Fir-" I yelled only for an explosion to rock the Ygrid .
Soldiers screamed as they stumbled around on deck, trying to understand what had happened. I had fallen onto my back but I quickly got up and noticed the Orinion recharging its magical canons. There was now a massive burning hole in my ship's left side, fire spreading below deck. I growled and as the ship got closer I could see its crew, they were all ponies and mutants. With a rage filled scream I ordered all canons focused on the enemy ship and for them to fire at will. It was then I heard cries of war from below me.
I looked over the edge in horror as ponies clad in armor rushed towards the camp below, meeting my forces as well as the empress' forces. The damn ponies had survived the woods and mounted an attack directly against my fleet and army? I would show them, I would kill every last one of them for this. I yelled to my commanders to watch the princess and bring down the enemy ship. I would not tolerate creatures like them using our weapons.
It was time to snuff out the Equstrian resistance once and for all.
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Nathaniel's POV
The final battle had begun.
Battle-cries could be heard over the plains as the pony army smashed into the griffon camp. Their enemy was caught completely by surprise and at first panic reigned in the griffonian ranks. The human used this to his advantage, wildly hitting anyone trying to hurt his fellow soldiers. Rose and Osiris was close by, but with the two armies merging into a mess of death and screams they got separated. The man wouldn't let this face him as he called out for the pony soldiers to follow him as he used the power of Valkyrie to smash through shield walls.
The man relied heavily on his enchanted weapon. He used the magical power it released at it hit something to his advantage, sending griffins flying. Of course since their enemy had wings this often gave them the chance to gain height and attack once more. The human simply knocked them down once they got close enough and then killed them by slamming his weapon down onto the injured enemy.
At times the young man was forced to grip the very end of the war-hammer's handle and spin around, knocking back those that tried to get to him. Other times the teen simply used the environment against them, slamming his weapon down into the dirt to blind his enemies quickly became a favorite of his. But when Valkyrie wasn't enough magic had to do. The man used Solaris mico to blind multiple enemies at once, levitated griffins into the air only to slam them down onto the ground again and used his newly found teleportation spell to cut down enemies in quick succession. The human did take some injuries, a stray arrow burrowed its way into his left shoulder, but he simply pulled it out and healed the injury.
And they were in his way.
As Nathaniel fought he quickly realized he couldn't be carefree when it came to using his magic. He could already feel a tug on his mana pool indicating he was quickly draining all the magical energy his body had time to build up for this battle. If Nathan wanted to face Guto he would have to conserve some of his energy and mana. With this in mind the guardian hurried to find the military leaders on the ground, hoping to cause some chaos for the griffins and shadow ponies like he had done so many time before.
So the human searched, slamming his war-hammer into the head of anyone getting in his way. The battle had began in the favor of the ponies, but as time wore on and the soldiers grew more and more tired the griffins grew bolder. The battle was quickly turning sour for the Equestrians as they may have been almost one thousand more but the griffins were well fed and rested. It soon came down to will alone between the two armies as soldiers simply tried to kill as many as possible, using the dead as shields against arrows. It was chaos in the most literal sense of the word. Discord was probably pleased watching all of this unfold before his eyes.
As Nathan ran further into the enemy lines he rarely saw pony soldiers. At occasions he would spot a few fighting off some shadow ponies and he would help them. But for the most part it was Nathaniel against the enemy. The man would defend himself the best he could, but sure enough he started to gain more injuries without his allies there to help. A griffon cut his leg with a sword before Nate killed him with a swift blow from Valkyrie. The human healed it until he was certain there was no danger of infection. Then he ran for the enemy leaders once more.
It was during his mad rush the human was suddenly separated from the battle by a great red crystal wall. This wall encircled him and red spikes shout out from it. The human tried to teleport away from the trap but found himself unfocused. A dark chill crept over his mind and he turned around to face the empress of the dark kingdom. She looked livid and had a red crystal scythe held firmly in her magical grip.
"Sombra had a similar one." The man said.
In response the mare jumped towards his location with a rage filled scream. The man rolled out of the way as the blade of her weapon slammed into the round and she quickly pulled it up once more. The human readied himself for this fight and as she ran for him the empress rose the scythe above her head to send a downwards strike his way. The man barely blocked the incoming strike and then was forced to jump back as another spike rose from the ground in front of him. This mare was trying to actively tear him apart!
"You don't need to do this! Guto won't be able to hurt your son if you turn on him now!" The man yelled but was forced to duck under another swipe of her weapon.
"You know nothing! The same second he dies they'll kill my poor baby! I will not let you win!" She growled.
More crystal spikes shot out from the wall that surrounded them in a dome like shape. The man did his best to avoid them but one slashed him across his chest, cutting right through his armor. The human stumbled backwards and with an angry yell the empress knocked the war-hammer from his grasp. Reacting quickly the teen tried to summon the weapon back to his hand but once again something was breaking his concentration. The damn crystal wall must have had something to do with it. Without another option the man pulled out the sword Luna had given to him, its black blade fitting his dark armor. The mare just scoffed and lunged for him once more.
This time the man blocked the incoming strike and kicked the mare's horn. She stumbled backwards with a scream of pain and glared at him with hatred. A crack was now in her white horn, mana sparking from it. She looked ready to turn the human into paste at that point and with another battle-cry Darkest Dreams threw herself at him. The human was ready for her this time and he ducked underneath the empress. With a swift motion Nathaniel grabbed a hold of her scythe and then the man slammed her onto the ground. The pony kicked him in the chest and Nate felt one or two ribs crack from the attack.
To end the fight the human slammed the pommel of his sword into the mare's forehead multiple times, knocking her out. The man got up and stumbled away from the unconscious mare, only for Nathan to feel a pain. He looked down to see a piece of crystal stuck in his side, most likely shoved in there by the empress. The man started to pull it out but feel to his knees due to the pain. The feeling was like ice slowly being dragged over his flesh. He gave of a pain filled groan and spat onto the ground as his right hand slowly pulled the shard out of his side. Nathan threw it away as it came out, quickly using his mana to heal the injury. The man cursed himself for having been so careless and he sheeted his sword.
Nathan stumbled over to Valkyrie and threw it at one of the walls. The war-hammer broke through the spikes and wall in one fell swoop, allowing the human to stumble out onto the battlefield and observe what was happening. The ships the mutants and ponies had controlled was falling from the sky. Their balloon was quickly loosing it's ability to hold up the ship and the vessel came crashing towards the ground. Fires had spread over the deck as the three enemy ships had fired upon it with their canons. Once it hit the ground it skid over the ground for one hundred meters before stopping. It killed both ponies and griffins in its wake, creating a trench between the two armies.
It was then Nathaniel slammed Valkyrie's pommel onto the ground and a roars could be heard. From the smoke the ships had created as they fired upon each other two dragons emerged. The red and green adult dragons had been waiting for a chance to attack the ships and now they saw their opportunity. The green dragon, named Glare, dove underneath the ships and slammed his tail into the Ygrid's side. The flagship had prepared to fire upon Canterlot until this action caused the canon to hit Canterlot mountain instead. Rock rained down from the mountain but the city was safe.
Glare used this opportunity to fly towards the human. His red scaled brother let fire spew over one of the ships that quickly lost control and plummeted towards the ground. Unfortunately the close proximity to the remaining ships made the dragon an easy target and the canons from both ships fired upon him. The red dragon crashed down upon the plains, his chest and wings black from the magical weapons power. One of their most powerful allies were dead, and the Ygrid remained in the sky.
Nathan ran for the Glare as the dragon landed. They didn't have much time if they wanted to board the Ygrid and find Luna. So the man threw himself at any enemy in his way, taking blows but continuing his path towards the dragon. It was then Osiris and Blaze suddenly joined his side. Without realizing it the teen had ran all the way back to where the main battle was taking place. Glare was flying as many griffins he could as he waited for the human, but those canons were recharging their energy for a second shot.
"We're almost there kid! Guto and his guards will be the only ones left!" Osiris yelled over the fighting.
"Almost there.." Nathan panted and ducked under a griffon's sword.
The stallion and wolf were both covered in blood. Blaze had seemingly gored as many griffins he could get his paws on and it had helped the pony soldiers instill fear into their enemies. Osiris looked injured as he limped but as he was still fighting the man assumed it was not severe. They needed to get onto that ship before they gained an injury that would make them unable to fight. Nathan looked to Blaze running alongside them and realized the wolf would be safer on the ground with Rose than on the ship with him and Osiris.
"Blaze! Go to Rose and stay at her side! Me and Osiris is going after Guto!" The man told the wolf.
Blaze whined in return and shook his head.
"Yes I am! Now go!" The man said and Blaze ran towards the ponies reluctantly.
The pony and human continued to run until Glare spotted them. The dragon dove towards them and picked them both up in his claws. The green scaled dragon rose towards the ships and evaded canon fire as he went. Nathan felt sick as he tumbled around in the dragons hand before finally they were above the Ygrid . With a fluid motion the human and stallion jumped from the dragon and landed on the ship. Nathan broke his fall with a roll and he quickly killed a griffon trying to cut him down. Osiris landed on top of another griffon and buried his dagger into the enemy's head. They had managed to board the ship.
Nathaniel looked upon the very long deck that stretched to both his left and right. But it was what laid to his right that made him growl. There stood king Guto of Griffonia, clad in golden armor and crown with a red robe draped over his shoulders. The griffon looked surprised before scowling at the human. Next to the king was Luna, locked in a cage with a magic suppressor around her horn. The sight made the man growl and he drew his sword with his left hand while Valkyrie rested in his right hand.
This ended here.
"Run Nathaniel! It's a trap!" Luna shouted.
To the man's horror started the griffon soldiers claw at their throats and cough red dust. One of them fell onto the ground and spasmed as a red crystal broke through his skin. All of the soldiers started to turn into abominations thanks to the corruption disease and their eyes took in a golden glow. Guto laughed before he grabbed Luna's cage and dragged it into the gate behind him. The king slammed the door shut as Luna's former guards gave of a banshee like shriek and peeled of the skin. Underneath said skin was only red crystal, a crystal that only made Nathan feel afraid.
Osiris joined the human's side and grabbed a spear as the enemy advanced on them, hissing and growling. They had crystals going through their armor and skin while others had crystals coming out from their beaks. They had all turned into monsters and with unnatural speed they ran for the human and stallion. Nathan held his sword and war-hammer ready slashing out with both as the monsters jumped for them.
This battle was far from over.
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Author's Note
So close! Only one or two more chapters and the the story is done! I thank all of you who decided to read this chapter. Nathaniel's journey is coming to an end in the coming weeks (hopefully before my trip to the US) so look forward to it! Have a great day you guys!
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Chapter Twenty-nine: The angel and the six armies
Rose's POV
Under the heavy fire of the flying ships above our troops were pushed back. I stood at the front lines, throwing knives in the direction of any enemy soldier I could see. The fighting had been going on for hours and no matter how hard we tried to push back our enemy they always counter attacked and broke through our lines. We had the superior numbers at the start of the battle which had served us well, but now soldier after soldier fell on both sides. It was senseless slaughter that made feel ill, but I pushed through it and continued fighting.
The worst opponents I faced were the shadow ponies. With their mages and archers giving covering fire for their allies it was nigh impossible to break through the griffin defense. Every time I thought we managed to drive them back even a meter they just hit us right back with double the force. But when one of the shadow ponies faced me in close-quarters combat I was always fearful. These soldiers didn't fear death and they held unnatural abilities. It was funny, I used to see myself as one of them.
I fought through dirt and blood as our ship went down from the sky. I flew away from the front lines as I saw the burning vessel coming towards us and I ordered the troops to flee. The ship caused devastation on both sides. As it hit the dirt it tore up the ground for over a hundred meters, creating a trench in the middle of our two armies. The griffins used this moment to charge, flying over the torn up ground and diving on our soldiers. It didn't matter how many pegasi or allied sanguines tried to meet them, they were always pushed back or cut down.
In the woods we had the advantage of the trees blocking most of the griffins from flying. But out in the open plains they could easily evade attacks that would normally kill a pony. I could only see it getting worse as they poured over our soldiers like water, cutting them down like animals. The shadow ponies used their dark magic to create crystal walls in the middle of battle that lasted a lot longer than any magical barrier our mages could summon. What was worse were their ability to create crystal weapons. When a crystal spear broke they just created another one. When our spears broke our soldiers died.
When Glare and Nox flew across the sky and assaulted the enemy ships our troops cheered and fought on, the shadow ponies suddenly breaking formation and falling back. The empress must have been killed or injured for them to just suddenly back away from the battle. With most of the shadow ponies falling back it left the griffins exposed and our soldiers used that opportunity to rush over the trench. The clash was bloody, but finally we drove back the griffins once more. It was then the red dragon, Nox, was shot out of the sky. His dead body landed far away from the battle, but for a second all stopped to look at the massive corpse. With a few blast they had killed a dragon. What could they do to Canterlot with even more?
An enemy ship crashed into the ground not soon after the dragon and soldiers poured out of it. Suddenly the damaged vessel exploded and debris flew up into the air along with dirt. Glare landed and created havoc among the enemy lines as he waited for Nate. I watched him burn griffins alive with his red flames. It was pure chaos all around me and when Glare finally delivered Nathaniel and Osiris onto the ship I couldn't even tell who was winning. We had lost too many soldiers at that point. Dead littered the ground like leaves in a cold autumn day and blood had started to fill the trench.
It was then one of the ships above us fired.
The green blast hit to my right, sending me flying through the air. When I hit the ground I rolled for several meters until I came to a stop with a groan. My ears were ringing and my vision was blurry as I tried to get up on my hooves. As I crawled I tumbled down into the trench, the blood on the bottom coating my fur and armor. I could see black smoke rising up from where the blast had hit its mark. Screams could be heard from our soldiers dying in the magical fire and the griffins once again advanced. They had lost most of their shadow ponies comrades but they were still a formidable force. With their heavy armor and ability to fly they quickly drove us back.
As the enemy rushed across the trench and our soldiers started to back away towards the Everfree a group of griffins surrounded me. A white feathered griffin stepped towards me with rage in his eyes, a spear held tightly in his left talon. Captain Steelbeak had left his ship and was now fighting among his men it seemed. I reached for a knife and tried to get up, only for one of my legs to flare up with pain. I let out a howl of anguish and fell onto the bloody ground, my right back leg broken.
"You ponies never know when to give up, do you? Always crawling in the dirt for some senseless hopes about freedom and justice. The only justice here today will be that of my king and all of the Grifonian kingdom!" The captain growled.
He took a step towards me and raised his spear. It was then I heard a familiar barking and growling not far away. My sight had cleared as had my hearing, but I still felt drowsy as I watched Blaze jump from the edge of the trench down towards the white griffon. With a single swift strike of Steelbeak's spear's pommel the wolf was sent flying, a trail of yellow magic following the hound. Blaze hit the trench wall and with a pained whine slumped against it, unconscious and two of his legs looking broken.
With a rage filled battle cry I jumped the griffon, ignoring the pain in my leg as I beat against the side of his helmet covered head with my knife. I bit into his neck and I tried to rip it open, hoping to kill him for what he did to Blaze. The captain's only response was to grab a hold of my throat and thrown me onto the ground. I landed on my injured leg and screamed, trying to crawl away from the griffon. His soldiers stood in a ring around us, simply watching as their commanding officer advanced on his prey.
It was then I noticed his eyes. They had been blue once, I remembered that from our time in the griffin capital. But now they were a sinister yellow, glowing with magical power. The griffins weren't supposed to be able to use magic, but this single griffon captain had defeated Blaze by casting a spell. It had been powerful enough to keep the wolf down, magic absorbing fur or not. Guto must have bestowed him with some fraction of his power, to ensure victory for the ground forces. I tried to crawl away from Steelbeak as he quickly approached me, frantically searching for a weapon.
"Any final words pony?" He asked, but his voice was not the same.
"To serve, protect, and shield our charge from harm.." I quoted, turning my eyes towards him. ¨
The captain only grinned and raised his spear above his head. He was laughing with Guto's voice now, but there was something else there, something ancient. I thought of Lucid, my sweet little sister, sitting locked up in some school for artists while griffins ruled our home. I regretted not having told her about all the things that had happened to me since I joined the guard, since I met my friends. I just wished to hug her one last time and sing the melody our mother had once sang in a happy tone. I closed my eyes, the spear was raised high now.
'I'm so sorry sister.. May Faust watch over you.' I thought.
I heard flesh being pierced by a weapon and a gurgle of blood. Once I realized it was not my own sounds of pain I opened my eyes to see the faces of horrified griffins watching as their captain bled to death. A red crystal pike had been sent through his neck while a blue crystal spike had went through his chest. I was equally as stunned as the griffin soldiers surrounding me, my eyes wide open. It was then a blue sword went through the back of one of the soldiers, killing him instantly.
Crystal Sword, former king of the Crystal empire, rushed into the fray to meet the enemy. His red fiery mane and white coat almost seemed to glow on the smoke filled battlefield as he dashed between enemy to enemy. His blue magic grabbed a hold of a few griffin soldiers and he then slammed their heads together. As he cast this spell more blue crystal spikes rose from the ground and impaled more griffins. His black horn was ablaze with mana as he cast spell after spell at both my attackers and at griffins crossing the trench.
I felt a hoof pull me up from the ground and I leaned against the face of Silver Page. Her red coat managed to hide the blood she'd crawled through but not her black mane. The succubus helped me to lean on one of the trench walls before she picked up a griffon with her own red magic aurora. The mare slammed the soldiers into the ground until his body had too many broken bones for him to stand up. She then quickly joined her lord's side and helped him drive off any soldiers trying to get to me.
It was then a griffon slipped past their defenses and dove for me with a sword. I threw myself onto the ground only for a large sword to come from above and decapitate the enemy soldier. I looked up to see solar guardian Holy Light standing there with a grin, watching over me from the above the trench. I felt hope blossom in my chest before suddenly the last of Steelbeak's soldiers were killed with red crystal spikes launching out from the trench walls. I watched as the griffin army ran around in confusion, their shadow pony allies turning on them.
"This is no place to die esteemed guardian." Empress Darkest Dream voice said.
The mare was covered in blood and injuries, but her eyes shone with life. A deep gash could be seen on her forehead and a crack was clearly visible on her horn. But on her back sat a young colt who hugged her neck tightly. He looked terrified but at the same time happy. I was confused for a second before I realized who he was. That was the empress' son. The foal that Guto had kidnapped!
I watched as a changeling followed them, her body the same size as princess Luna's. The bug-pony's mane and tail was a strange mix of pink and a sickly green. The same went for her eyes as they seemed to hold both pink and green to them. I saw how she trotted forward with her head held high, her eyes shining with glee as griffins died around her. This must be a daughter of the former hive queen, thought dead for months.
"I wasn't planning on dying to the likes of you." I said and grabbed a spear from the ground.
"She's not our enemy Rose." Guardian Light said.
The large stallion climbed down the trench wall and got to my side, healing my broken leg. I felt a lot better as the bone snapped back in place, even if it hurt. I gave him a thankful nod and leaned on my new spear as the griffins ran back over the trench to crush the rebellion the shadow ponies had started in the middle of their ranks. Darkest Dreams quickly passed the trench and climbed up to the pony army. At first weapons were raised towards until Holy Light gave them orders to stand down. I followed with Crystal Sword and Silver Page behind me. Blaze was carried behind the former king, his injuries being healed. Yet the wolf was still passed out cold, so the hound was simply laid down on the ground with crystal dome forming around him to keep him safe.
We got up from the bloody trench and watched as chaos spread among the enemy ranks. Yet the shadow ponies were outnumbered and had lost many in their battle against our forces. Many simply fled over the trench to join their former enemies, their empress no longer under the control of Guto. I watched over my shoulder how only a little over one thousand remained uninjured while the griffins had similar numbers. It had been a senseless slaughter from our side and now many lay dead. Way too many had been cut down by flying attack from the griffins.
"Take my son to the woods and hide. Do not come out until you know it is safe." The empress instructed the changeling princess.
"Of course." She said and picked up the colt, placing him on her back.
"Be kind to Chrysalis, ok Hidden?" Darkest told the colt who protested and cried as the changeling took him away.
I saw how what shadow ponies remained joined our side, placing crystal walls among our troops to act as defenses. We were all tired and injured, having been fighting for hours. The griffins should have been equally tired but whatever control Guto held over them just made them march on, killing whatever got in their way. I took a deep breath and held my spear tightly.
We all knew this was the end.
I rose my spear into the air and spread my wings wide. "For Equestria!"
"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!" The troops chanted and plunged themselves against the enemy one last time.
I followed with my troops and newly found allies, plunging my spear into the enemy. I killed with quick jabs and slashed with my spear, throwing a knife at griffin soldiers when they got too close. We kept fighting and pushing against the enemy, even as the ships above started to bomb our troops with canon fire. Glare the dragon returned to kick the smaller ship out of the sky, ending the bombardment, but it was too late. We were pushed back and many more of our soldiers fell. A griffon cut my side with his sword and another shot an arrow through one of my wings. I stumbled backwards and allowed Crystal Sword to cut them down before even he had to stand back from their onslaught.
We fought until the bitter end, but our dead and injured were outnumbering our capable warriors. Finally empress Darkest Dreams send out a blast of magic that pushed back a few soldiers. Their retaliation was to send an arrow into her chest, driving her back with a stumble. The empress just roared in rage as the griffins pushed us way beyond the trench and towards the Everfree behind us. Many of our own stumbled into the holes created by the canon fire and I tried to fend them off the best I could. Darkest Dream summoned a scythe and slashed many enemy soldiers across their chests until she took another arrow into her chest.
"Aunt, get out of there!" Crystal Sword yelled as griffin soldiers started to surround the empress.
Shadow ponies ran to her side, sacrificing themselves so the mare could stand. Crystal hurried towards her before a griffon war-hammer hit his side. The stallion was sent flying before he hit the ground with a roll. The former king moaned in pain as Silver Page jumped his attacker and tore out his throat. In all the commotion I tried to get to the empress myself but there was just too many soldiers fighting between us. I took to the skies but was quickly tackled by a griffon who cut me across my cheek. I retaliated by shoving my spear into his stomach and kicking him off me.
"This is for my son you bastards!" The empress yelled.
From the ground rose large red crystal spikes. They impaled many soldiers but afterwards they discharged magical enemy into others. These spikes fried any griffin who got too close, but it didn't protect her against the third arrow. It hit her shoulder and she stumbled back with a pain filled grunt. Some of the spikes fell apart without her focusing on them and the griffins threw themselves at her. The mare swirled around with her crystal weapon and cut off the head or limbs of all Guto's soldiers that approached her. It was like an exotic dance until one griffon thrust his spear into her side. The empress stumbled and let out a pained breath, another spike impaling that griffon as well.
Crystal finally got up and I saw him make another run for the empress. He parted the way by sending out a blast of magic into the fray, forcing anypony in the way to fly back. The young stallion hurried towards her when a fourth arrow hit her chest. The mare gave coughed up blood and made a sound filled with pain. Her legs buckled under her and she fell onto her side, blood pouring from her mouth. Crystal Sword saw this with rage and with a single fluid motion summoned read lightning from his horn that fried the griffins above the mare with bows.
By the time I managed to get to the empress she was already dead, the former king cursing the griffins with tears in his eyes. The death of the empress spurred the enemy on and soon we were pushed back to the edge of the woods. I pulled Crystal back from his aunt's dead body and back into our troops. Silver Page was by his side and looked upon the dead empress with horror as we were finally on the verge of scattering in the woods. If we all died here or fled then there would be nothing between the princess and the griffins. There was families hiding in the woods and gorge as well, they couldn't fight against this! It was then the griffins ran towards us, aiming to finish us off while we were at our weakest.
May Faust watch over us all.
It was then the sound of something dropping from the sky alerted me to back off. I quickly did so as a ball of green fire and magic landed among the griffin front lines and sent them all flying. This caught the griffins off guard completely and they all tried to fall back as canon fire started to rain over the enemy troops. Griffins died and fled as a newly arrived ship bombarded them. The ship proudly showed the Equestrian flag and I immediately recognized it. It was the Spellbinder , flying across the sky and creating havoc in the enemy ranks. I used this opportunity to charge, Holy light getting behind me as I broke through the griffon defenses.
The enemy soldiers tried to fly and run north only a great horn to be sounded through out the plains. I watched in amazement as an army made up of yaks and minotaurs crashed into the griffins flank and completely caught them by surprise. We quickly encircled them and with the superior bowmen among the minotaurs were many griffins shot down. Quickly we pushed both sides of the griffins forces towards the middle of the battlefield, towards the trench. It was now our mutant allies suddenly returned. They had crashed with their ship but they hadn't died. They seemed to have been working on fixing one of their canons and they now fired into the quickly diminishing griffin troops.
We were gonna win this war! I looked up to the Ygrid still flying in the sky. Glare flew around it but he did not attack it, this quickly changed as bolder slammed into the ship's side. I saw how the northern armies had brought with them catapults, the siege weapons being used to fire upon the very large griffon ship. Glare was forced to land and he roared at the enemy, making many of them throw themselves onto the ground in fear. I looked with worry up at the ship as another bolder hit it, taking a large piece of the hull with it.
'Hurry you two, there isn't much time.' I thought and continued to fight.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
Prince Tyr of Griffonia's POV
I looked out of my cage into the nearly empty camp. I could hear the fighting and explosions coming from the Canterlot plains and I knew the ponies were loosing. With the firepower of the Ygrid in my father's grasp and his alliance with the dark kingdom it was just a matter of time. I needed to get to the flagship and stop this war once and for all, no matter the cost.
My eyes were fixated on the mare standing guard by my cage. My own little private prison had been secluded from the other captured soldiers, Celestia fearing I would be able to control them like my father. I sadly lacked the idol and held no such abilities, but she didn't know that. With most soldiers gone from the camp to fight in the final battle it left our guards all alone. They were supposed to watch hundreds of captured prisoners with only a few dussin soldiers. You could basically taste their nervousness in the air, their eyes flicking to the other cages. But the mare guarding me was mostly calm, her back turned to my cage as she watched the smoke rising from the battlefield.
I had heard the roars of dragons and seen two ships fall from the sky as the hours dragged on. The battle never seemed to end and the already tired Equestrian soldiers were most likely being pushed back by my father's warriors. If I didn't get out of this cage soon then my father might destroy everything the ponies and our own people had built during the centuries. I would not accept such a thing, not anymore.
"Hey, you!" I yelled to the female guard.
She turned around and walked up to the cage. "What is it prisoner? I told you we have run out of food."
"It's not about that! You need to let me out! If I don't stop my father then you will all die!" I yelled in desperation.
She just scoffed. "Your father will be defeated, don't worry your royal head about that."
"No you don't get it! Those ships were designed to wipe out armies! The only reason why my father hasn't unleashed its full potential is because his own army is in the way!" I said with panic rising in my voice.
The guard just shook her head and turned around once more. But this time she was closer, much closer. I could see the keys to my cage hanging from her saddle bags. If I could just reach them then maybe there was a chance of escaping this camp and getting onto the Ygrid . The only problem I faced even if I got out was my lack of armor and weapons. They had confiscated my sky-metal armor and any knife that had been attached to said armor had been taken as well.
I would need to move slowly if I wanted to see the defeat of my father.
I reached out with my right talon towards the mare's side. I was careful about touching her tail or flank as I reached for the keys. Her golden armor reminded me of our own standard heavy armor we outfitted the troops with. It gave them great protection but made flying exhausting. If I ever got hold of the throne I would need to change those models of armor into something lighter. My musings were stopped as a red aurora surrounded my arm and it pulled me straight into the metal bars. I groaned in pain and was held there by my guardian, the mare having turned around to face me once more.
She held beautiful red eyes that shone with magical power that truly captivated me. Her mane and tail were equally red, almost looking like fire. Her grey fur was mostly hidden her golden armor but I could still see it clearly as she faced me. For a pony she was beautiful, and probably deadly. She glared at me before letting go of my arm and pushing me back into the cage. This mare would not be fooled easily.
"Please just let me out. If I do not stop my father then he will grow even more desperate. He might simply force the canons on the ship to explode! Such an explosion would be devastating for the entire region. The magical shock-wave would topple trees and buildings alike!" I warned and finally she looked concerned.
"..What's your name?" The mare asked me and looked over her shoulder.
"Tyr of Griffonia." I stated simply, feeling some pride over that title.
"Well Tyr if it wasn't for you I would be out there with my brother and defeating your troops. The princess thought I was yet too unwell to fight, but I disagree. I can let you out of that cage and go join my brothers and sisters in arms, or I could just obey my orders and keep you in there. Tell me why the first option is the better one." She said and eyed me suspiciously.
I sighed and looked onto the ground before I spoke. "Because I do not want anyone else to die in vain."
There was a second of silence before I heard a key being inserted into the cage door. I looked up in surprise as the door swung open and the mare threw my gear at my feet. I scrambled to get up and saw how she started to quickly walk away, heading towards the battle beyond the gorge, beyond the trees. I slipped the sky-metal helmet onto my head and hurried after her.
"What is your name? Who is it I am thanking?" I asked.
She stopped for a second and looked over her shoulder with a smile. "Broken Orchid of the Crystal Empire."
With that the unicorn ran away and I was left all alone. I knew there was still ponies here and even Celestia herself was hiding somewhere among the tents. I decided to slip on the rest of my armor and try to flap my wings. I had been given some medical attention thanks to my information and thanks to that I would be able to fly up towards the Ygrid . When I was certain my wings didn't hurt I quickly stole a spear and flew away from Rambling Rock Ridge. I was spotted by a pegasus who tried to give chase but I simply flew over the Everfree and out onto the plains. The pony gave up on the chase and now I looked upon the carnage that was the final battle.
Our soldiers were dying, being pushed towards a single trench in the middle of the battlefield. I could see that only the Ygrid remained in the sky. All our other ships had been destroyed and now the pony's had a ship of their own. It was bombarding both our flagship as well as our troops, using some new sort of machine to fire large balls of concentrated mana. They balls exploded upon impact and created a lot of destruction. It was a miracle the flagship hadn't been torn apart yet. As I flew closer I noticed how warriors from the north were pushing our troops back, most fleeing in terror in the face of such brutal death.
It was then I saw a bolder hit the Ygrid's side while the remaining adult dragon spewed flames over the hull. With the combination of fire and catapults managed to ponies tear up holes in the hull. I used this opportunity to quickly gain height and I threw myself into one of these holes as I got closer. I immediately felt the corruption sickness in the air and I kept myself elevated over the ground. I put a piece of cloth over my beak to not inhale it all. I noticed with horror how many griffins lied dead on the ground. Most of them had turned partially into crystal, pain and fear frozen on their faces. Had my father sent them down here to manage the canons? Had he willingly sent them all here to die?
I shook my head and concentrated on finding my father. As long as he lived would no one be safe, pony or griffin. I held onto my new spear tightly and wondered if I could truly kill the griffon who raised me. But I looked over the bodies once more to destroy that notion. This was not my father anymore, this was a monster that had not only killed countless innocents but who Guto of Griffonia once was. This monster had destroyed the griffon named Guto and replaced him with itself. I couldn't allow it to leave from here with its life.
With a deep breath though my cloth I flew down one of the burning corridors and headed towards the cargo room. I could hear fighting from somewhere in the ship and I would help the ones standing against my father. I wouldn't stand idly by and watch him kill more cities. Never again would I allow king Guto to tarnish the soul of the Guto, savior of the kingdom. This ended today, with my death or his death.
On this I swore.
☆~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CoN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☆
Nathaniel's POV
The man ducked underneath the crystal creature's grasp as it threw itself at him. The former griffon went over the ship's railing and fell to its death, but there were many creatures that remained. The human stood back to back with Osiris as they cut down any crystal griffon trying to kill them. The abominations created by the magical disease only seemed to have one goal, and that was killing all in their way. The teen used Valkyrie to crush a few creatures running towards him, turning them into a mangled mess of blood and crystal.
Osiris tried to keep the monsters away from Nate's back as they fought. The stallion used his spear to force the armor clad creatures to back away. At times the pony would send his weapon through the chest of one of them and push them off the deck. The human adapted this tactic and used Valkyrie's magical discharge to send many enemies tumbling off the edge. Yet they were many and soon one of the former griffins slashed the human's friend across the side. The man immediately went to help his companion and he used the sword in his left hand to decapitate the monster while the war-hammer in his left hand was used to hold other creatures back.
The battle moved from the sides of the Ygrid to its middle. Soon the numbers of the monsters dwindled and a few just hit the floor. Those who didn't die to the stallion and man's attacks started to become part of the upper deck floor. The crystals inside them grew grotesquely and planted themselves into the wood. They almost became like any other plant as roots formed in the wood, slowly making it rot. But normal plants were not evil, these things were.
"Kid! We need to find the princess now!" Osiris yelled.
The ship that had been flying next to the Ygrid had been stunned by what had happened. They couldn't believe what their eyes were seeing as they looked upon the creatures. But the same second the human and pony had defeated the monsters they prepared to fire. They would damage their flagship but possibly kill the human, something the mad king had most likely instructed them to do.
It was then Glare showed up once more, slamming his tail into the other ship's side. It went down and the drake roared, victory seeming possible once more. The man and stallion ran for the door Guto had locked behind him. It was made out of steel and Nathaniel simply slammed Valkyrie into it. The door flung open and the teen backed away to puke as the smell of death hit him. Something putrid was inside the hallways and rooms of this ship, something rotten. Osiris pushed onward, ignoring the smell and hurrying down the long corridor ahead of them.
The doors on both sides of the corridor were open, with many having more crystal griffins inside. These creatures were already dead however, the crystals in their bodies having sprouted across the floor. The man felt weak in his legs as he watched the death and suffering while his pony friend pushed on. There was nothing they could do for the dead. But they could still save the living.
The long corridor finally split into two paths, one leading to the left and the other to a couple of stairs leading down. The human listened closely until he heard Luna's familiar voice from below. She was screaming and yelling in anger, giving the two lunar guardians a clear lead to follow. They both hurried down the stairs into more death and rot. The disease had taken hold of the entire ship. Anyone not infected had either fled or taken their own life. It was pure evil, there was no batter way to describe this infection.
As the human walked through the bodies he could see red spore like particles in the air ahead of them. "Osiris place something over your nose and mouth. Don't breath in that stuff."
With the two pushing onward they soon heard cheers from below and the sounds of explosions. It wasn't clear who was winning. But at that moment they only had one focus, find Luna. When they heard another rage filled scream coming from the bowels of the ship the two quickly descended another couple of stairs. This time they walked into the epicenter of the disease. The floor had rotted in several places and bodies littered the corridor like trash. The bodies here were more crystal then flesh, their growths reaching the roof and planting crystal roots there as well.
The two walked past it until they felt something rock the entire ship. The man hit one of the rotted walls and fell through it, landing in a small cabin. All around him were griffins frozen in fear, their expressions preserved by the crystal surrounding their body. They had been trapped by the corruption and their last moments had been nothing but fear and pain. It made the man quickly scramble his way out from the room and into the corridor once more. Osiris was waiting for him, the sounds of fighting below suddenly much clearer.
The pony opened a door and sunlight hit his face. The human walked up behind him and saw how a large chunk of the ship was missing. The battle below seemed to go in the ponies favor and this spurred Nathan forward. The Ygrid was falling apart and they needed to save Luna before it came crashing down. They scoured the lower levels until they finally stood by the doors to a cargo-hold. More hits had occurred as they searched and at placed they had to jump over holes in the floor. The ship was no longer indestructible with Glare spewing flames over it and boulders being hurled at the flagship's hull.
Osiris gave Nathaniel a nod before the pony pushed the door open. The cargo-hold had shelves laying all over the ground and in the middle of it all stood Guto. The griffon had the idol of Boreas tightly held in his left talon while his right held a sword. The human stormed inside to see Luna beside the griffon, still locked up in a cage. The princess of the night was now unconscious, slumped against one of the walls in her cage. The worst part was how close the alicorn was to a large hole behind the mad king.
"Have you come to die?" the griffon growled and put down the idol on the ground.
"Give us the princess and we can promise you a trial! It is over Guto!" Osiris said and swirled his spear.
"Trial? Trial?! The only judgement that matters is mine!" The king laughed and slammed his talons onto the floor.
A massive shock-wave sent the human and stallion flying. They saw how Luna's cage had remained unaffected but it was still dangerously close to the hole. Acting quickly Nathan ran for the griffin king with Valkyrie held tightly in his hands. The man slammed it against his enemy's sword but the weapon didn't break. With a growl the king pushed the human back and cut one of his legs, yellow sparks following Guto's sword. Nathaniel hissed in pain and stumbled backwards before Osiris threw himself at the king.
Guto simply grabbed the pony mid air and threw him into some shelves that toppled over. With the southern stallion temporarily out of the way the mad king gathered yellow energy in his left talon. Nathaniel raised Valkyrie in front of him to protect himself from the blast but it did little. The beam of yellow magic hit the war-hammer and Nate felt like thousands of volts hit his body. The man yelled out in pain and flew backwards, rolling over the floor. The war-hammer flew across the air into the waiting talon of Guto, the griffon grinning.
"This is Faust chosen? A boy that can't even hold onto his weapons!?" He yelled at the human.
With a fluid motion the griffon threw Valkyrie down the hole towards the ground. With the human's advantage out of the way the king planned to easily kill him. Guto advanced on the teen who grabbed his sword and prepared to fight the powerful ruler, hoping all the spells he had learnt would work on the mad chicken. With a deep breath the man engaged in combat with the griffon, slashing and jabbing towards the enemy.
The king easily blocked any strike sent his way, punching the human's throat. Nathan backed away and used his healing magic to quickly negate any damage Guto had done to him. Now the human decided to use all the spells his friends and grimorie had taught him. Nathaniel began by creating a dome shield around himself that blocked a strike from Guto, the griffon growling. Next the man used the illusion spells Occultatum Jende and Occultatum Korvaus . The man became invisible and a copy took his place.
The griffon king attacked the copy only for it to disappear as his blade went through it. Nathan then used Solaris Mico to blind his opponent with a great flash of light. Nathaniel then slashed Guto across his left eyes before sending him flying with a blast of magic from his left hand. The result was an injured king getting up from the floor with murder in his eyes and his eyes glowing a deep yellow. Nathaniel tried to teleport to Guto's side for a surprise attack but the mad king just grabbed him by the throat as he reappeared.
"You're pathetic." The griffon growled and forced the sword from Nathan's hand.
It was then another boulder hit the ship, making the older griffon warrior loose his grip on the human. Nate hit the ground and saw his sword laying by Luna's cage. He crawled towards it and reached out with his left hand to grab it when suddenly Guto's sword slammed down on his arm. With a scream of pure agony Nathaniel scrambled backwards, holding what was left of his arm. The griffon simply kicked the severed hand down the hole, glee in his eyes. Nathan tried to gulp down as much air as possible and he felt like all his senses dulled thanks to the pain. The young man crawled almost to the edge of the hole, looking over his shoulder at the deadly drop. With no other option he summoned his mana and held out his right hand.
"Globus Igneus!" Nathaniel yelled and a ball of fire erupted from his hand and sent the king backwards.
Guto slid across the floor only to come to a stop. He growled even louder as his feathers slowly stopped smoldering and he picked up his sword. It was then Tyr jumped the king from above and buried his spear into the griffon's back. The weapon sank right through the flesh and pierced through the king's chest. Osiris suddenly joined the hippogriff and jumped the enemy leader, sinking one of his daggers straight through the mad king's neck.
A gurgle rose from Guto's beak but Osiris breathed a sigh in relief. The battle had been won. But then Nate could hear what was coming from their opponent's throat. It was a blood-chilling laughter. A large bolt of yellow magical energy sent Tyr flying into one of the walls and with supernatural reflexes the griffon grabbed a hold of Osiris' throat. The pony chocked against Guto's death grip as the unnatural griffon pulled the dagger through from his neck. The wound healed as the blade was removed and the brown feathered griffon threw it towards Nathan. The spear that had gone through the griffon's body turned to ash and that wound healed as well.
"Any last words pony?" The griffon king asked Osiris.
Osiris looked towards Nate who desperately tried to stand up, but he had lost so much blood his vision was getting blurry. The man grabbed Osiris dagger and crawled towards the stallion and griffon, but he was not fast enough. He was too injured to continued fighting and his mana reserves were already low. Nate looked up at the stallion, Osiris looking back for a moment before facing Guto.
"They're not for the likes of you." He chocked out with a defiant growl.
"Then so be it." Guto said and broke the stallion's neck.
Everything slowed down for a second. All the human could hear was the sound of Osiris' neck snapping and all he could see was the pony's dead body hitting the floor. The teen was aware of that he was screaming, if it was in rage or sorrow he could't place. All he knew was that Osiris was dead and Guto had murdered him. The king turned his gaze on the human and moved towards him, ready to finish him off. Nate was stunned, his eyes locked on his friend's corpse. He felt such hatred for Guto that he could hear the idol laughing. The artifact was laughing with Guto's voice, but there was something else within said voice.
Before he could even realize what he was doing the man threw himself at the idol and stabbed Osiris' dagger into the gemstone. For a second there was absolute silence before the idol screamed. The artifact's screeched caused the man's ears to bleed but he could only grin at the idol's suffering. The artifact tore itself from the man's gasp and fell down the giant hole in the floor next to him. Guto screamed in panic and ran towards the hole. The human and griffon king saw how the idol fell down towards the ground until it suddenly exploded, a great yellow wave spreading over the sky.
The king screamed in rage and turned towards the human. Nate held a hold of Luna's cage, keeping it from going over the edge. It was in this moment Tyr flew across the room and picked up the man's sword. Before Guto could defend himself was the sword buried in his chest. The hippogriff breathed heavily as he stared into the eyes of his father, the yellow glow leaving them. For a second Guto had a look of recognition in his blue eyes, his talon stroking Tyr's cheek. The hipogriff's father smiled. The griffon king slowly slid of the sword and fell down the hole, his body lost from sight thanks to all the smoke.
Nate didn't get a second to breathe before he noticed a green beam of magic heading towards the ship, more canon fire. This salvo would hit the cargo-hold and he was to weak to stand. With a look to Osiris' dead body the young man sniffled and he squeezed Luna's hoof through the cage. He was crying, but that didn't matter. With the last magical energy he had left the human opened the cage by force and then sent all the other three back into the corridor they had come from. The same second they were out of harms way the floor exploded, the man suddenly falling.
The human twirled around in the air, his body not stopping as he headed towards the ground. His eyes were blurry and he saw how the army below cheered, the enemy surrendering. They had won, they had won the war. A small smile graced his lips before he closed his eyes. The man kept on falling, seeing Osiris smiling at him and handing him a bottle of booze.
'Don't worry.. I won't be long my friend..' He thought.
And he kept on falling..
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Author's Note
Thank you for reading. I'll give you all my thoughts in the epilogue
The first thing Nathaniel heard when he awoke was crying. The young man tried to sit up but found himself too weak to actually move his limbs. He opened his green eyes to a white room. There was a window right in front of his bed overlooking Canterlot. The light shone into the room and almost blinded the teen. He hissed in pain and closed his eyes for a second before he reopened them to the sight of Luna. The alicorn was looking at him at him with disbelief and she started to cry even harder.
"Luna?" He asked, his voice cracking.
The mare responded by hugging him and burrowing her head into his neck. The human wrapped his right hand around her head, trying to ignore the strange feeling in his left arm. For many minutes they just laid on the hospital bed, holding each other tightly. Finally the man could look out the window on the city, not seeing anything destroyed. They had truly won then? The last thing he remembered was falling through the sky, hearing the troops celebrating their victory. What had happened to the hippogriff prince? His memories were fuzzy.
"How long?.. How long have I been..?" The man mumbled.
"Four weeks. You have been asleep for four weeks.." The alicorn responded and didn't let go of the human.
"Four weeks?.. What?.. What happened to the griffins? What happened to the ship?" The young man was trying to piece it all together.
"After prince Tyr managed to wake me we got of their ship with one of their lifeboats. We managed to bring guardian Osiris' body with us.." She said and sat up on the large white bed.
Images flashed before the man's eyes of his friend hitting the floor, dead. The oldest male in their group of friends, killed in the matter of seconds. The pain made Nathaniel close his eyes and hold back a sob, feeling Luna once again embrace him. The princess just held him as he cried, not saying anything. She just needed to be there for him, to help him as he had helped her. After a while the man calmed down enough to talk once more, his eyes red from the tears. He looked down onto his left arm and rose it up into the air. He could still feel his hand, a phantom pain.
"Did.. Did you bury him?" The man asked.
"Yes we did, out in the gardens. We think he would have liked that." She said with a sad smile.
"Yes I think he would have.." The man said, hugging the alicorn close once more.
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The days in the hospital bed passed quickly for the human. Luna was by his side most of the time, just talking or helping him eat. With only one hand things would get harder for the man, but he would work through it. Nate often asked for Star Swirl but was told the mage had taken one look on Nate's arm before locking himself in his tower. The arch mage had refused to come out until he was done, so they were forced to wait. But luckily for the young man he had more friends to talk to.
Blaze and Rose had practically stormed his hospital room to see him and the both of them showered him with affection and words of comfort. Through his talks with his friends the man learnt about what had transpired while he slept. The first thing he learnt was the reason for his survival. The Lord Protector had seen him falling from the sky and thrown himself after him. The Spellbinder followed and once Silver Wing managed to grab a hold of the human he had dragged Nathaniel onto the ship. The human wanted to thank the pegasus immediately but quickly learnt he was once again not in Equestria. Silver Wing and the fleet was to watch Griffonia so they did not break the new treaties. This time all members of the Lord Protector's squad would be with him. He had sworn to not leave anyone behind again.
The young man soon learnt about the navy battles as well. Apparently had the Equestrian navy been outfitted with sky-metal weapons as they passed Zebrika. The zebras had then sent their own navy with the ponies, hoping to ensure victory. With their advanced weaponry were the enemy navy turned to kindling, leaving the sea open for travel once more. Only a few ships were spared that were to bring home the captured soldiers. One of the first to go back home was prince Tyr who quickly signed new treaties with Celestia and Luna. These treaties were to ensure that Griffonia would only hold twenty-thousand soldiers, that they would not create more weapons of mass-destruction and that they would follow the new international laws written by the new world council.
During Nate's coma had the world gone back to a sense of peace and calm, rebuilding what had been lost. The dark kingdom was freed from griffin control after the citizens rose up against their oppressors and kicked them out. But after the battle for Canterlot they lacked a leader. Empress Darkest Dream had fallen in battle along with most of her senior officers. This left her six year old son, Hidden Sorrow, on the throne. But as he was too young to rule it meant Crystal Sword would watch the kingdom's affairs for him until he came of age. The king without a crown had been granted a new one.
The mutants in the desert had been hard at work with their greatest enemy defeated. Luna told the man about how they had unified their tribes under a single banner, creating a republic. Their elected leader, Fylk of Obros, had quickly joined the princesses in discussions about a new world council that would welcome more nations. The one million population standard would keep out most from this new council and such a thing would just hurt the nations trust in one another.
The changelings like all others started to rebuild. With two daughters of the former hive queen confirmed to be alive the bug-ponies returned to the badlands. The oldest daughter was meant to take the throne, but she refused to take it. Chrysalis decided to help raise the new emperor instead, leaving her former home in the hooves of one of her younger sisters. The move was political according to some while others saw it as simply a kind gesture to a grieving child. A few saw it as warning however, a statement that the new emperor would be no one's puppet.
The northern armies returned home, their ties with the pony nation strengthened thanks to ambassador Peace Treaty. Lord Orin and King Matesh was both granted seats at the new world council. The prospect of opening up trade with the rest of the world made them both happily accept and they built a town on the land granted to them by the ponies. This town was to function as a place for ambassadors to meet and for goods to be processed through. The north and south had never been on as good terms as they had been since after the war.
The dragons returned home. Charcoal and his fellow teenage dragons promised to visit the human and answer his call if he needed them. Glare was now the oldest living dragon left and was given the title of dragon lord without any problems. The dragons had hidden away hundreds of eggs in secret caves before they left, ensuring their species survival. Charcoal and his friends would now be forced to care for these new dragons as they grew up in a new era, where the dragons of old no longer existed.
Equestria like all the other rebuilt. Luna was adamant on repairing Manehattan and Baltimare, being willing to spend her own gold from the royal treasury. The reparations started three weeks since the battle took place and it would take years before the coast fully recovered. But with time would all wounds heal, but the scars would still be visible through out the landscape. The destroyed Ygrid had been left on the plains where it crashed. Mages worked each day and night on purifying the vessel but work was slow. Yet it all meant the world would recover, even if many things could never go back to the way they were.
The most notable change to the Equestrian landscape was the large graveyards now dotting its surface. Thousand upon thousands had died in the war, both enemy and friend. They had buried them all, the defeated griffins accepting the small kindness by sending gold to the pony nation. Even Guto had been buried, Tyr having dug his grave. The crown prince had been the only one there to give his father his last rites. No one knew where the grave was except from Tyr and the princesses. Luna refused to tell the human when he asked her and Rose hadn't been able to find it anywhere. Since nothing good would come of it the man simply stopped asking.
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During his last days in the hospital could the human move around more and even walk to the bathroom by himself. It was during this time Luna brought him an envelope, addressing him the receiver as 'kid'. The young man grew quiet as he saw it and Luna opened it for him with a simple spell. She then left the room to give him privacy and to allow him to grieve. Once the mare was gone the man pulled out a letter from the envelope and he started to read it.
Kid, if you're reading this then that means I'm dead. You have no idea how hard it is to write those words and I hope you will never be forced to. I never expected to die from old age, especially with how you handle the damn war-hammer in battle. But I expected to leave something behind for all of you. I hoped on a son and with my track record it wouldn't surprise me if I have one. But I am writing this before our final battle, which means I know of nothing I can leave behind for any of you. Since I only have possessions left I want you to keep the house I was given in Canterlot. It is a good home and I hope you one day manage to start a family there.
Not that you seem very interested in mares, yet.
I want to leave all my money to anypony who needs them. Give them to the princesses and I will have helped a lot more ponies in death than I ever did in life. I also want to make a single request from you. I want to be buried in a calm and peaceful place with my full name written on my gravestone. I am certain Luna have already taken care of the first part but she does not know my full name. If you can do this one last thing for me kid I would be eternally grateful. If I can face the Sandwalker and Faust as Osiris Soulblade instead of Osiris of Equestria then I will be able to rest in peace.
Furthermore I want to thank you kid for making my last year alive one of the best. You, Rose and even the damn hound have been at my side through it all and once we all are embraced by eternity I will be waiting for you with booze and festivities. I will dancing among the golden fields until we meet again my friend. Tell Rose I love her as only a brother in arms can and buy treats for Blaze on my expense. Don't cry over my death, but celebrate my life kid. That is all I will ask of you.
Your friend, brother in arms, drinking buddy and fellow guardian: Osiris Soulblade
Nathaniel was quiet for a long time after that, his tears hitting the piece of paper in his hand.
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The grave was peaceful.
Nathan had found his friend's resting place a few days after he read Osirs' letter. The lunar guardian was dressed in his military uniform with his hair hidden away under the outfit's hat. His left shirt arm hung a bit loosely without his hand there, but he ignored it. The man would not cry anymore over his lost limb, not when others had lost so much more as they defended the nation from invaders. The teen approached the grave and looked upon the titles bestowed upon the grave stone. 'Lunar Guardian', 'Commander', 'War Hero' and 'Savior' only to name a few. But only 'Osiris' could be read on the gravestone, no other name.
"Do you like it? We made sure he would have an easy rest here under the apple trees." An old stallion said and walked up beside the human.
"Soulblade." Nathan said in response.
"Huumm?" The older stallion questioned and turned to face him.
"His name was Osiris Soulblade." Nathaniel said and the stallion quickly went to work.
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Star Swirl finally left his tower one moth after Nathaniel woke up. The human had gotten used to only doing things with his right hand now. Many things became difficult, he could never use Valkyrie again with just one hand, but he managed with the help of his maid Dust Kicker. When the arch mage suddenly pulled Nate with him without explaining why. The human was happy to see the old wizard but he was confused over what was so important it couldn't wait. As they entered the arch mage's tower Star Swirl just pointed to a table filled with metal scraps and tools. The man approached it and looked at the object on the table with surprise, gratitude and awe.
"You made that for me?" He asked, his voice cracking up.
"I did. It took me many diagrams and tests but it should work. Give me more time and I will look a bit better. But right now we need practicality. If you just place your arm on the table I will do the necessary spells required to attach it to your nerves and muscles." The mage said.
For the next few hours the human watched the old stallion work. His stump became part metal as the mage inserted components into the man's left arm. Finally when the evening approached was the arch mage done. A large grin was on Star Swirl's lips as he watched the human raise his arm and look upon the creation. He wondered how the mage had even figured out where everything was supposed to be, but that didn't really matter.
Nathaniel was now staring at a metal hand. The prosthetic had been finally crafted to mimic his real hand and it responded to his nervous system. The hand looked like a wooden mannequin hand with its joins balls of metal. Nate tried to close his hand into a first and it did so, albeit a bit slowly. But the mere fact he had a hand again made the human tear up and give the old stallion a crushing hug.
He was no longer broken thanks to the mage. He was once again free.
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Celestia's POV
I slowly made my way down the garden path. I passed ponies and maids along the way, all of them bowing deeply. I seemed to hold another kind of air around me now. Before ponies almost feared my steps, now there was a deep respect and sadness instead. I was dressed in my white gown once more, my wings resting softly on my sides. I looked up into the sky to see pegasi foals flying around, playing with one another. A sad smile graced my lips before I focused on my path once more. I wanted so desperately to join them, but even moving my wings to preen them hurt. I had gotten off easy with a few scars and without the ability to fly. The human had lost a hand. Sure he was given a metal one in its place but everypony knew it was not the same.
As I strolled through my gardens I passed the resting place of my two solar guardians. I bowed at the two gravestones to show my respect for the dead. They had fallen to the Ygrid's massive canons, dying instantly. With them gone that only left Holy Light as my only guardian. I thought over this and Luna's proposal about accepting eight lunar and solar guardians for us both. With five more guardians for each monarch it would meant we would spread our word much quicker than before. I mused about the human being forced to deal with seven ponies following him around along with one happy wolf.
I was brought out of my thoughts as I stood before the statue of Discord. I looked upon the god of chaos, frozen in stone. I sat down next to the statue and just listened to the birds chirping and singing their merry tune. For several minutes that was all I did, just listening to the sounds of the garden while I waited for any reaction. I was starting to get disappointed as half an hour passed, but I knew better than to assume he was sleeping in there. His ears were always listening.
"You were wrong about him." I said calmly and watched the moon rise into the sky.
"Maybe I was, or maybe you just heard what you wanted to hear." Discord responded.
I thought about that for a second. "I think I have been doing that a lot since what happened."
"You were always overprotective of Luna. You never liked me inviting her to one of my activities." The god of chaos mused.
"I just found 'throw chocolate dart on the peasants' to be a bad influence on her." I laughed.
"Well how was I supposed to know they disliked chocolate? Ungrateful subjects.." He muttered.
I giggled in response before I looked onto the ground. "She misses you brother."
"..I know." Was his only response.
"Luna is alone in this world should I fall. Who will protect her when I'm gone?" I asked with fear lingering in my heart.
"The one you chose to guard her from the beginning. The human deserves some credit. After all I thought he would accidentally shatter the country with the destiny mother infused upon him." He chuckled.
"Do you think things may go back how they once were? To how we once were?" I asked with some hope in my voice.
"No. The world changes all the time, that is the beauty of chaos. But we will always be siblings, sadly." He said.
I couldn't help but smile at that and I stood up. It was time to get some sleep. I looked over my shoulder at the statue before I turned away and walked towards the castle. The human deserved a better apology from me after all the things he had been through. I took a deep breath before I entered the castle, walking towards my chambers. But apologies could wait until the morning. Now the nation needed to rest and so did I.
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Nathaniel's POV
The human entered the small estate and looked around Osirs' former home. The lunar princess couldn't accompany him to the building thanks to her duties but Blaze happily tagged along. The early summer air made the human smile and he walked the streets without any problems. Once he entered the home the teen ran his metal hand through his hair and searched for a bed. The young man found the bedroom quite quickly but when he did something fell onto the floor in the kitchen. Blaze growled at the sound and the human walked over to check it out.
As he entered the kitchen he saw a figure standing there. The moonlight through the window was strong enough for the man to make out features of the pony. The stallion standing in his new kitchen was a unicorn with a long white horn stretching from his head. The pony's fur was a clear white while his mane and tail were blue. His right eye was a stark yellow with 1-12 written within it. It reminded the man of a clock. The intruder's left eye looked like it contained the universe itself, constellations and galaxies moving within it. The pony was wearing a white cloak that covered most of his body and he was larger than the average stallion.
"Nathaniel Sol?" The intruder asked.
"Yes? That's me." Nathan responded and placed his hand on Blaze's head.
"I have a proposal." The stallion said with a grin, his two eyes locked with the human's own green ones.
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Author's Note
Thank you, all of you. For over a year I have been writing on this story and now it is finally done. Yes it needs editing but the plot itself is all there. I have finally completed what I set out to do and now I can finally rest east knowing I managed to finish the story.
This is not the end of Nathaniel's adventures in Equestria but I am taking a break for a while. I need to focus on school and with this completed I will do just that.
I just wanna thank all of you who have supported this story over the last year and I hope you will comment down below what you thought of the ending. I love getting feedback and I will answer all your comments within a couple of hours.
For the future I am planning on rewriting 'Lux: Warrior of Shadows' so it will be up to standard with this piece of work. I will try to not fail school before that however so thank all of you who went on this journey with me and expect more from me this year.
I am just getting started.
Your friend and local swede: Lux
Chapter One: The Angel arrives (RW)
Nathaniel sighed as Ms. Maple continued her lecture about mathematics. The teen had been sitting in a small classroom for five hours with very few breaks and his attention was drifting elsewhere. He had Lucian, a fat black cat, resting on the school bench just next to his right hand. Nathan gently let his hand run over the feline's back and Lucian responded by purring deeply.
"Focus Mr. Walker or I will remove the cat from the lecture hall," Ms. Maple said sternly.
"Yes ma'am," He responded with a sigh.
His teacher and tormentor was a tall woman dressed very conservatively in a long black skirt, white shirt, and a black, buttoned-up, suit jacket. She wore a simple silver chain around her neck and two earrings adorned with small diamonds to complement her business-like attire. She was blonde and had blue eyes, most likely inherited by her ancestors in Scandinavia. She was supposed distantly related to him, yet he had never cared enough to find out if that was true. As his eyes wandered over her body Ms. Maple sighed and looked over her shoulder, stopping whatever she had been writing on the blackboard. The woman put down the chalk and looked at the clock on her wrist, frowning lightly.
"It seems you are free for now, but we will continue talking about logarithms tomorrow," she said.
Nathan quickly closed the open math book in front of him and put it into his bag. He left the room with Lucian in tow, not even acknowledging Ms. Maple's statement. He dreaded having to go through even more hours of math with her, every fiber of his body screaming at him to run away. He simply hurried down the lavish corridors of the Walker estate, heading towards his room. His steps echoed across the marble corridors as he quickly made his way to his sanctuary. When he finally reached his room Nathan just opened the door and got inside, locking it behind him.
Nathan's room was small compared to the large corridor outside. There was just a single bed in a corner with a desk and adjacent chair next to it. There had been a couch and a tv opposite the bed, but they had been removed as a punishment. Nathan didn't even remember what he had done to earn the punishment, but he frankly didn't care. Where the tv had once stood there was now a litter box and two bowls. Lucian had been pleased with moving the stuff out of the bathroom at the very least. Nathan sat down on the bed with a sigh and the black feline jumped up onto his lap. He petted the cat and looked out the window to his left, seeing the grand garden and hedge maze. His eyes flicked between gardeners and the living sculptures they tended to, creatures from myths brought to life from trees and bushes. The garden itself was full of life as the summer sun warmed every plant, flower, and tree. Yet every person in the colorful expanse of green looked ready to attend a funeral. It was a good analogy for the entire estate, colorful and beautiful but filled to the brim with gray and dull people.
It didn't help he was one of them.
The young man reached underneath his bed and pulled out a violin-shaped box. Said instrument was inside the box and he picked it up, smiling at it. He leaned the violin against his left shoulder and put the bow against its strings. Nathan let the bow run over each string before he started playing a soft melody. Lucian purred in his lap as the music spread across the room in a calming way, blocking out the noise of the outside world. Nathan closed his eyes and let his fingers dance among the strings as he moved the bow faster and faster over the instrument. For a brief second, he imagined himself in front of a group of people, all of them cheering him on as the melody grew all the more beautiful and fast. The melody reminded him of a spring wind, bearing with it the warmth of summer and death of winter. As his hands skillfully manipulated the instrument his phone suddenly buzzed and the melody died. He moved the bow back over the strings, trying to focus once again but another buzz made him aware of the sound of a car pulling up outside the main entrance.
Nathan sighed and put away the violin underneath his bed. He gave it a longing look before he looked at his phone, a message from his father blearing red in the notification bar. He opened the message and read it with building dread, his hand squeezing the phone tightly. The text was simple, he needed to get into the city and help his father at the company headquarters. He had planned on reading something or simply continue playing, but now yet another free afternoon was replaced with work.
With a grumble, Nathan put Lucian down on the bed and got dressed. The only large thing in the room was his wardrobe, filled to the brim with suits in different colors. There was a simple T-shirt thrown in there. He could just put it on, wear a huge smile, and walk straight up to company headquarters. His father would undoubtedly be mad about it. Such anger and fire would burn in the man's eyes that Nathan could almost feel the gaze piercing his soul. Nathan sighed and decided to wear a black suit over a white shirt. Nathan looked at the pair of black pants that came with the suit and the black shoes underneath them. He simply closed the wardrobe and kept on his jeans and sneakers, a small smile tugging at the end of his lips. Feeling ready to face his father he ventured out of the room after filling Lucian's bowl with food.
And he was immediately stopped by a woman clad in a black and white maid get up.
"Where are you going?" a feminine voice would ask him.
"Out. Dad wants me to go to the company for some talk or work or whatever," he mumbled.
Isabella looked him over, an ember eye examining each centimeter of his clothes. "You're not wearing the shoes or pants meant to go with that jacket."
"Oh come on, I am not getting dressed up for one of his fucking lectures!" Nathan pleaded.
"Language! Now, we are going to get you dressed in better clothes. You know your father gets very angry when you disobey company dress code," the maid would scold and usher him into the room.
Nathan would sigh as she walked into the closet, looking around until she spotted the clothes she was looking for. Isabella would put them on his bed before motioning to them. "Get dressed, please."
"I- I don't want to," he responded and crossed his arms across his chest.
"You are not a child anymore. Pouting will not help you," she said.
"I don't fucking want to wear any of these clothes."
Isabella sighed and walked up to him. She was in her early thirties, black hair reaching her hips. Her eyes held that motherly care, the gentle 'I am not mad but please just do what I say' look. Nathan just scoffed and looked to the side. Did she really think a 'please' would be enough for him to follow his father's orders? He had gone through this song and dance before, he knew how to play this game.
"Nathan, if you cooperate instead of always fighting back you'd discover everything is a lot easier," Isabella said and gently touched the side of his face.
"Yeah, because you, who are paid by him, would surely have my best interest at heart," he muttered.
The woman pulled away her hand and glared. "I have done everything in my power to make you happy since you were a child! Do not speak to me like I am plotting against you!"
"You fucking help him keep me in this fucking caged don't you? Am I supposed to believe you care? Just get out of here, I don't need your fucking help!" Nathan yelled.
Isabella raised her hand for a moment, anger burning in her eyes. Nathan held up his arm to shield him, expecting to be struck. However, the woman just slowly lowered her hand and muttered darkly. She stormed past him, opening the door. Before she closed it, she looked him over one final time. "You are not wearing a tie either. Get dressed, for your own sake. And stop wearing for god's sake, your father does not like it when you do so."
With that, she closed the door.
Nathan would look at the clothes and the walk-in closet for a second, gaze falling to the ground. He would close his hands into fists and grit his teeth, suddenly kicking over his chair. He breathed deeply before he stormed out his room, slamming the door behind him.
The trip down the marble stairs to the front entrance was a short one. Every step on the red carpet leading to the door made a weight grow heavier on his shoulders and the driver honking on his horn did nothing to help his condition. When Nathan finally exited the house he was met by a black limousine and its driver, Charles. The man looked annoyed and tired. He had dark lines underneath his eyes, and he looked like he'd missed drinking his morning coffee. Everything pointed to this not being a good day for Charles, and Nathan certainly wasn't planning on making it any better for him.
"What took you so long? Lord Walker is not a patient man. If I show up late with you it is my livelihood on the line," was all Charles said before getting into the driver seat.
"Just fucking drive," Nathan muttered back and sat down in the passenger section of the car.
Charles seemed to freeze in the middle of starting up the car, looking over his shoulder at the young man. "Oh. Oh, I am so sorry your highness did you have to wait for a long time? Do please forgive me for taking fifteen minutes longer, can you ever forgive me?"
"Just drive Charles! Jesus fucking christ..." Nathan said and swatted at the air.
"Of course, sir," Charles said and started up the car, slowly leaving the perfect and boring garden.
The ride from the Walker estate to Walker Co. was a long one. As Charles drove them through the forest surrounding the Walker estate, Nathan just scrolled on his phone. The time was four pm, and he was certain his father would deny him dinner until he went along with whatever assignment the older man had in store for him. Once again Nathan squeezed his phone tightly and his breathing got deeper. He felt like he had a great fire bubbling up in his chest that threatened to burst out at any moment. He noticed Charles eyeing him in the rearview mirror, the driver's disapproving eyes making Nathan sink back into his seat.
Not before long they left the forest behind and got out onto the highway. Cars of all sizes sped past them as they traversed the roads. As far as Nathan knew a car crashed along the highway every fifteen minutes, considering how often they were forced to halt whenever they ran into a car queue. With some luck and a blessing from the gods they reached the city just after five, the traffic inside the concrete giant not better than on the highway outside it. The time was half-past five when Charles pulled up outside Walker Co. and the driver simply motioned for Nathan to get out.
"I don't want to see him," He mumbled, eyes locked on the glass doors to the building.
"And I want to keep my job. Get the fuck out of my car," Charles said.
With a glance at the street outside Nathan got out and Charles drove away to park in the underground garage.
The building Nathan found himself in front of was a tall white skyscraper. The entrance to the building had some stone stairs leading up to a couple of glass doors. There were four guards outside the entrance, all of them dressed in black suits and adorned with an earpiece. One of them spoke into a radio as he spotted Nathan, the other three guards moving down the stairs to meet him. Nathan was used to armed escorts at this point. Being the only child to his mother and father it meant his death would be the death of the family's control of Walker Co. Sure he had a cousin or two, but they had not been prepared for the role like himself. Not that Nathan even felt ready to run an entire corporation, but his father didn't care about what he felt, only what he did.
"Mr. Walker, your father is waiting for you in the penthouse. I would suggest you hurry, he looked agitated," One of the guards said with a sympathetic look.
"Thanks, Marvin," Nathan mumbled in response and walked up the stairs and through the automatic sliding door.
The reception area was littered with men and women in suits on the phone or comparing notes on company-issued tablets. The chattering of the common employees died down as Nathan passed, all of their eyes set on the company heir. Some looked at him with predatory interest while others seemed downright afraid to be in his presence. Nathan just wanted the pristine marble floor to swallow him whole as he passed the curious workers. The receptionist behind the front desk just smiled as he was led up to her by the guards. He gave her an electronic card that she examined and then she motioned for him to take the elevator behind her. The guards followed him up to the elevator and waited with him as it descended.
"Did he say why he wanted me here?" Nathan asked Marvin with a sigh.
"I am not important enough to be divulged such information Mr. Walker," Marvin simply responded.
As the elevator doors finally opened Marvin gave his fellow guards a nod and stepped into the escalator with Nathan. The young man put his electronic card into a card slot underneath the button panel on the wall. The elevator made an affirmative ding before it started carrying the guard and rich youth up towards the penthouse. The ride lasted for three minutes at most before the pair reached the top floor of the building and Nathan stepped off. He felt stiff as a wooden board as he saw his father sitting at a desk in the other end of the rooM. Nathan's hands gripped his legs firmly. He felt as if there was a swab of honey at the back of his throat. Was that his heart beating like an overenthusiastic drummer?
Marvin hit a button and the elevator doors started to close. "Good luck kid."
As Marvin descended for the lower floors and left Nathan alone with his father the young man felt as if the swab of honey had developed into a full jar. He put his hands behind his back and straightened his posture, giving a glance to his jeans and shoes. He felt like tearing them off his body and throwing them out the window before his father noticed, but something was stopping him from even taking one step forward. It was like his feet had been turned into concrete, yet he didn't know why. He saw his father by the desk at the other side of the room, looking over some sort of paperwork. Most of the lights were off except for one table lamp that his father used to read his documents. There was a lounge area between them filled with leather couches and glass tables. It created a maze of furniture between him and his father, it almost calmed him down seeing all the objects between them.
"You may approach," his father said, the old man's deep voice echoing over the dark office.
"Yes, sir," He responded and walked towards the dark figure.
Nathan navigated the lounge area and walked up to stand in front of the desk. His green eyes were locked on the floor as the old man shuffled with his papers. Finally, the patriarch of the family looked up and aimlessly flicked his wrist to a chair next to the table.
"Sit."
The young man grabbed the chair and seated himself in front of his father. "Yes, sir."
William Walker eyed his son before standing up. He grabbed a glass of whiskey from the table and walked over to the large window behind his desk. The dying sun cast its orange light upon the man's face and he took a sip from the glass. William was fifty-five years old and it was noticeable. Wrinkles under his eyes and white strands settling in among his finely kept hair reminded Nathan that the man was still mortal. His father wore a white suit with the company logo sewn onto its chest, a 'W' in the foreground of a globe.
"We're going on a trip starting tomorrow," The man said and took another sip from his whiskey.
"What?" Nathan responded and looked up at his father with confusion.
William looked over his shoulder, his cold green eyes burrowing into Nathan's skull. "Did I stutter?"
"No- No, sir. But where are we going? I thought I had lessons left and.."
"We're going to New York, then London. I will add more cities to the list as we travel," William responded.
"What about my classes? Ms. Maple will not be pleased," Nathan said.
"Ms. Maple has outlived her usefulness. We're going on a trip the coming six months anyway and she's not allowed to leave the country since her last 'incident'," The company man said.
"Six months on the road doing what? What about my birthday, sir?" he asked his father.
William looked over his shoulder once more before turning his gaze back to the city skyline. "What about it? You will be learning how to properly run a company from some of the best businessmen in the world."
"father.."
A single look from William silenced him, even if it was only for a moment.
"Sir, I hoped to celebrate my birthday with my cousins. They told me about a great bar in the city that they frequently visit and.."
"No," was William's response.
"What? It's just one night of drinking! You cannot honestly tell me that I am not allowed to do that!" The young man yelled and stood up.
William snapped around and marched up to his son. He slapped Nathan across his face and the boy stumbled back. He looked at his father in shock and nursed his reddening cheek.
"Listen very closely now Nathaniel, because I am not saying this again," his father started and grabbed a hold of Nathan's shirt, "In three months you turn eighteen. This means you can inherit the company and legally run it as its CEO. You will not be out partying with your good for nothing cousins and you will not waste your money or time on alcohol. There will be no cake, no booze, and no special lights. You will spend your birthday signing contracts and learning from people far more suited than I to impart some sense into that head of yours. Once we return from our trip and you have signed all the necessary papers I am handing over the Walker Corporation to you. After you have taken my role at this company I will retire and travel as far away from you and your annoying sense of entitlement as I possibly can. Do you understand?!"
He looked to the side as his father yelled in his face, gritting his teeth. "I don't want it..."
"What did you say?"
"I said I don't want this fucking company! I don't want to sign away my freedom so you can sip pina colada on a beach!" Nathan yelled and pushed William away from him.
The older man growled and grabbed his son. He threw Natan into one of the couches and Nathan hit the floor, gasping through the pain as it felt like someone had put hot coal against his spine.
William walked over to his son and bent down. "Do you think I wanted this company? Or do you think my father wanted it? Or his father before him? Or his father before him? This is not a matter of choice boy, it's your duty."
"No. No, it isn't," He responded through a pained breath, looking up at his father with a glare.
William shooked his head. "Get up and dust yourself off, I don't want the media gossiping. And for god's sake find some better clothes! Your small acts of rebellion are no longer endearing, just annoying."
As the businessman walked back to his table and sat down Nathan slowly got up from his prone position on the floor. "I hate you..."
"I hated my father too," was the only response he got back.
Nathan looked at his father, his hands clenched into fists. The young man felt like there was a storm inside his chest threatening to burst out, a storm that would consume the old man and tear him to shreds. This passionate fire only grew and he felt like his right hand was burning up. He just wanted to get rid of the cruel man before him. He just wanted to march up to his father and punch him. He just wanted to tear apart every important paper and contract his father was signing and burn down the penthouse.
But most of all he wanted his freedom.
"What are you standing around my office for? Go and help Samantha in accounting or something, I do not have time to babysit you," William grunted.
Nathan shook slightly, his face contorting into a snarl.
"Don't tell me you're going to cry," The man sighed. "You're a Walker, it's beneath you."
"You're not taking my freedom. You're not selling it for your own benefit. I am done with you," Nathan said and looked up at his father.
The young man didn't see it, but slowly green lines burned themselves onto his right hand. A hexagonal shape formed itself and within it, there was a rune that took the shape of a 'Y'. His eyes started to glow slightly and Nathan aimed his hand at the desk.
"I do not belong to you!" He yelled and sent green lightning flying towards his father.
The older man threw himself to the side as the arc of lightning flew towards him. It burned a straight line into the floor until it hit the desk, splitting it in half. Papers were sent up into the air, some of them on fire. William looked at the destruction with wide eyes and ragged breath, slowly crawling away from his son. Nathan just looked at the destruction with an open jaw, his eyes having a hard time focusing. He noticed his father's fear and he scrambled back towards the elevator. His feet carried him there in a second and he hit the button to call the elevator. It came quicker than he imagined and the young man threw himself into the elevator. He hit one of the buttons and the last thing he saw of his father before the door closed was the old man glaring at him darkly.
As the elevator began its descent Nathan sank to the floor and breathed heavily, his mind spinning. How had he done that? How had he sent down lightning upon his father like Thor? He put his hands on his head and rocked back and forth, his long dark hair spilling between his fingers. As the elevator made it to the twentieth floor he assumed he was safe until the machine suddenly stopped dead in its tracks. The young man looked around skittishly and stood up, seeing how the alarm button lit up. His father must have stopped the elevator, meaning he had informed security about what had happened. The idea of the guards dragging him back to the penthouse made his blood run cold and Nathan pushed on every button he could. Finally, the elevator doors opened to reveal Marvin and two of his colleagues. They stood a bit above him as the elevator had stopped just as it passed their floor.
"Get out Nathaniel," Marvin said.
Nathan only shook his head in return.
"We won't hurt you, son, unless you give us a reason to," The guard said.
Nathan noticed how one of the guards had his hand resting on his gun. "Then you don't need those weapons."
"We will only use them if you give us a reason to use them," Marvin repeated. "Now come on."
He slowly climbed up from the elevator, his heart pumping faster and faster. It felt like his head would explode as his breathing got quicker and quicker. The new mark on his hand burned like someone had put hot coal on the insides of his skin but it barley fazed him at that moment. However, the glowing from the mark made the other two guards do a doubletake, and Marvin looked confused.
"What in the world?..."
Nathan didn't let the guard say anything else before he punched his fist into the floor. The marble cracked underneath the force and the action released a massive amount of energy. The guards were sent flying, crashing into various desks and cubicles as the personnel cried in fear. Nathan just ran away from the downed guards, only acting on instinct as he made his way past scared and confused people. A few tried to stop him only for Nathan to swat them away, sending them flying. His lungs burned and his entire body felt sore as he made it to the stairs and he rushed down them. For the remaining twenty floors he did nothing but run, the mysterious force giving him the ability to stop anyone from getting close. When he finally made it to the reception area Nathan was met by tons of guards, including Marvin. The men must have used the elevator to get down before him.
"Stand down Mr. Walker or we will shoot!" Marvin yelled as twenty guards pointed their guns at the young man.
Exhausted and tired he collapsed to the floor and weakly held up his hands. Nathan felt darkness spread over his mind as he saw the men approaching with their guns pointed at him. He could see his father's reaction to it all and how the old man would lock him in a cell somewhere to see why he had suddenly turned into a magician.
"Please somebody..." He whimpered and looked to the floor.
"Someone put cuffs on him, I don't want him using that thing again," Marvin said.
"On it, sir," one guard said and hurried towards Nathan.
The young man suddenly felt like the skin on his right hand was peeling off and he screamed. He nursed his hand and held it against his chest as the pain only got worse and he closed his eyes. All he could see was green light as the mark on his hand glowed brighter and brighter, blinding the guards. Suddenly there was an explosion of energy once more, but this time it sent the people in the reception area flying out the glass door. The pillars supporting the upper floor cracked and shook from the sheer force of the explosion. The guard that had been to next to Nathan was turned to ash and as the dust settled was the young man nowhere to be seen. Only a crater remained in the once pristine marble floor, glowing and sparkling with energy.
Nathan, on the other hand, found himself falling. Through his blurry vision, he saw clouds high up in the night sky before he hit something hard. He grunted and yelled out in pain as branches and sticks tore into his face and sides before he suddenly hit the ground with a wheeze of pain. He stumbled up to his feet and managed to see more trees before he fell to his knees and coughed. He saw the moon in the sky, bathing him with its soothing light. An owl was hooting away in the distance and fireflies dotted the forest like small stars.
"I'm free..." he said with a slight chuckle and a huge grin on his face.
Nathan fell face-first into the grass and passed out, the wind slowly drifting through the leaves.
Author's Note
I don't know why but just reading the line "I don't want it..." makes me think of GoT season 8, which leads to me thinking about bad storytelling and the colossal failure that was the climax to one of the best shows out there. God D&D doesn't deserve to direct a Star Wars movie after how they royally fucked GoT.
Anyway, thank you for reading the first rewritten chapter of CoN. I hope to improve the story through these rewrites and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I will. Just a heads up for the other chapters, they won't make sense until I have rewritten it all. Chapter 2 will mix events from the original chapter 1 and 3 since it is just a better place to end the first chapter with Nathaniel arriving in the Everfree. I might just add a new chapter entirely to further explore Nathan's time of freedom in the woods.
So stay tuned for that, have a wonderful day.
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Chapter Three: The angel's first winter (Edited)
"I don't care if it makes you feel weird! You sleep with the wolf fur blanket if you don't wanna freeze to death!" Nathaniel told the wolf pup who looked at the blanket weirdly. The young man just sighed and hoped that he could get a fire going soon. He had dry firewood in his "cellar" but it was the spark he needed to ignite it all he missed. Starting a fire was becoming more and more of problem these days, the snow and cold made it hard to survive.
He knew that the forest wouldn't be a great place to live during the winter months and a part of him was scared of the possibilities of death. Nathaniel feared to one day wake up to cold and tired to move, to one day not being able to start the fire he and the wolf pup needed to survive long term in their clearing among the trees.
Nathaniel sighed as he brought out the black rocks and hit them against each other, letting their sides connect before sliding one rock of the other. The sparks created by this hit the firewood that his wolf friend placed in the middle of the stone circle. As he got a small fire going, the pup brought more dry firewood (he hadn't really thought up a name for the wolf, yet) and Nathaniel gave the small animal a pet as a thanks.
When the fire finally lit up the human and the wolf sat down and relaxed by the fire, the crackling of the blaze made the young man calmer than he had been moments before. He would have to worry about things like this later, right now his goal was to last the winter in this fantastical land.
Yet with the constant need to feed both him, and the pup Nathaniel was starting to doubt his chances to survive. Sure he had been here for a few months (why wasn't he mad yet?) and he had gained a few scars, but he didn't think hunting down a deer or a hare during the winter would be this hard.
The human had gained an advantage though, the pup. Yes, the young wolf often gave off his location, with it's howls and yips but without the wolf he would never find the animals in the first place, it's nose always leading him to a source of food. Not that they found food that often to begin with.
Nathaniel looked up at the current blue sky and let the rays of sunlight hit his face, the quiet and still feeling over the camp was one he loved, absolute serenity where he didn't need to focus on survival for a second. Or at least he didn't need to think about death.
If there was one thing he had noticed in his time around these woods, it was to be that he feared being alone. Sure, he hadn't really acted like that during the first months but now when he could lose the pup, the only one he could speak to but himself, it made his chest tighten every time the wolf walked away to hunt for itself.
Another thing he knew was different was how little he spoke. Sure he spoke with the wolf pup from time to time and even himself, but other than that he was very quiet, only making noises to show the surrounding world he was still there.
He could still speak, he just thought so much more these days. One returning thought that has plagued his mind was about those ponies he had seen in the wolves cave, or at least he assumed they were ponies from their size. They had called out for help that day, they had spoken. He hadn't really processed it at the time, gigantic wolf of death and all, but now when he had been relaxing moments alone with his mind? It has terrified him.
If ponies of this world where sentient then what else could think for itself? Has every deer he killed had thoughts? Had he murdered several families to stay alive? The thought wasn't comforting and the first time his mind had came across the possibility he had suffered a nervous breakdown.
Now, after a lot of self convincing he didn't puke from the mere thought of touching his bow. If the deer was like those ponies it wouldn't be acting like it's terran counterpart, it would have a wagon or stay in camps like the ponies in the wolf cave did. He at least assumed that the ponies owned the wagon as they were the only other smart species there that day.
During his pondering on if he was a murderous psychopath or not, the pup had snuggled up into his side, it's head resting in his lap. Almost on command he petted the creature and he felt more relaxed again, his worries washing away. The deer wasn't a thinking creature, or at least it wasn't a sentient creature.
As he let out a relaxed sigh the pup gave off a mewling sound, bumping its head into his stomach before looking at the line hung between Nathaniel's small hut and a tree. The line the human used to hang meat on. Of course the little wolf would be begging for food, it had him cornered with its sheer cuteness! Those puppy eyes have stared at him with an order to get him food!
Nathaniel rolled his eyes and chuckled before standing up and heading to the square shaped hut, the pup sat down and looked at him curiously. He moved to the hole next to the door and climbed down the ladder, his storage room filled with salted meat and his very tidy sewing equipment.
The human took a few pieces of meat (two of which he had yet to rub salt into) and took them back up to the pup by the campfire. Nathaniel gave the pup the freshest meat he had and then bit into a piece of salted meat. The young man laughed at the chewing sounds the wolf next to him made as it ate its meat, the sound reminded him of how his cat had used to chew on plastic.
Well, now he was in a foul mood, remembering the one thing that he cared about was left behind, his cat. The furry little beast had been annoying at times but it had also been his only companion among the cold parents and scared servants. So realizing only now that he would never see that fury beast again made him a bit sad.
As to cheer him up the pup once again snuggled into his side, laying down across Nathaniel's lap before looking up at him. A blazing warmth in the cold winter day, not against the snow, but against his need for contact with other people. How has he lasted for three months without this little guy?
"Blaze sounds like a good name right?" He asked the pup who only mewled in response.
"Yeah, it's a good name" The human man confirmed for himself before petting the pup once again.
The two of them sat there for maybe an hour or two, before Nathaniel finally got up to refuel the fire, Blaze sitting down next to the dying fire for the warmth and light. Something told him Blaze was smarter than wolves back on earth, it was the way the pup's eyes followed him as he moved.
It was when Nathaniel walked back from his cellar that he noticed the new tracks in the woods. He put the new firewood on the burning charcoal and got a new fire started, only to notice how Blaze was looking around nervously. The wolf was walking around the camp like he was guarding it, keeping it safe from something Nathaniel hadn’t been there to see.
Finding the pup's anxiety to be worrying, the human walked to the new tracks just outside the camp site. They were from an animal... with hooves, or rather from a pony. So they knew where he lived now? Should he be worrying or expecting gifts for saving the lives of that pony family?
Blaze walked up to the tracks, standing next to him as he sniffed on the fresh tracks. The wolf growled and gave of a threatening bark into the woods before walking back to the fire, his job done. Nathaniel on the other hand watched the forest for the rest of that day, wanting to know if his mystery "guest" would return.
~Next day~
The young man woke up to the sound of Blaze howling at something, immediately causing him to grab his bow and a few arrows. As he ran outside however all he could see was a figure running off into the snow covered trees and the happy face of Blaze howling triumphantly, the pup's mouth covered in blood.
Whoever had been stalking their camp would be thinking twice about that in the future that was for sure, the pup had taken a good chunk from the creep! As Nathaniel looked over Blaze to make sure he was ok, there were now new tracks all around the pup.
With the blood on the ground and the amount of hoof prints one could clearly see that the wolf had fought of whoever had been there, which meant they now knew of the wolf defending the camp. Nathaniel just hoped that this would not become a regular occurrence, he had enough of night time visitors.
After he made sure Blaze didn't have any injuries, he gave the wolf a piece of meat before heading out to hunt, needing more meat for the coming weeks of ice and snow. The only thing that he could call a vegetable in his new diet was a carrot like thing which grew like mushrooms in his cellar. It tasted good and seemed to keep him alive so he ate it with the meat.
The snow crunched under his shoes as he slowly made his way down the forest path, Blaze following him with his nose up into the air. If it wasn't for the knowledge about the monsters in the woods one could call the white and green landscape beautiful, yet its natural beauty paled in comparison to the feeling of hunger.
When Nathaniel lived with his family he had never been forced to worry about hunger, but now he didn't think about much else. Survival was his reason to exist now, to prove to someone, anyone, that he could do it. That a boy from some soiled family could live through these cold woods. Who he wanted to prove this to, he didn't know.
He wrapped the black wolf pelt cloak around him as they moved further into the woods, looking over his shoulder to make sure that Blaze was still with him. The once head on the leader wolf was now his hood, hiding his face from people as well as the elements. It also seemed to make Blaze listen to each command he gave him. The pup didn't see him as its father did it?
Nathaniel was napped out of these thoughts as he suddenly spotted a hare further along the trail. He grabbed the bow hanging over his shoulder and took an arrow from the little pouch he had made for them. When the young man aimed for the hare he nodded to Blaze who stalked the tree line next to the trail, ready to pounce in case his owner missed.
The moment when Nathaniel aimed was always the best thing in the world for him, the noise around him even in a quiet forest just zoned out. The mark on his right hand glowed brightly as did his eyes, the arrow tip would be caught on fire and the world stopped for a second - then he fired the arrow.
The burning projectile burrowed itself into the hare's neck and Blaze gave a howl of triumph over their kill. The young man made sure to put out the green flames from the arrow before it burnt all the hare's skin, putting the arrow back into the pouch for possible future use.
With some small distractions from the pup (mostly him whining over not being allowed to eat the rabbit like it was) the human managed to skin the animal with his flint-stone knife. He remembered now what the black rocks were called, and it pleased him some facts had stuck with him from boring classes with Mr. Hansen.
Nathaniel stood up and strapped the rabbit to the belt made from deer hide around his waist. The shirt he wore was made from the same material while his pants were made from wolf pelt like the black fur keeping him warm during the night or when he was out hunting.
He felt bad about killing the pup's family for survival. Yet he hoped he had made some sort amends by taking care of the wolf. So far Blaze seemed to like him and the wolf had only tried to eat him once! Which was mostly Nathaniel's fault as he had forgot to get fresh meat for the pup.
The two companions made their way back to their camp with a hare, but also a spy. The human has not noticing the yellow eyes that followed him from a snow covered branch. Blaze did , giving off a growl at the tree which made the eyes disappear. As the human didn't find any trace of anyone he just assumed the wolf has saw a bird.
For some reason Nathaniel felt more and more anxious as he and Blaze moved towards the camp, the woods became almost silent. The snow covered trees moved in the gentle wind as some snow swirled up from the ground on the path, blocking his sight for a second.
The next thing he saw was Blaze ramming into his side, sending him into a pile of snow. As he was about to question the wolf about why it had attacked him he noticed the piece of metal on the ground where he had just stood, it was a long bladed knife.
Panic hit him immediately and Nathaniel got to his feet, putting an arrow on the bow string. His mind was to muddled for him to even begin to use that magic for finding things around him. He needed to be focused to use his magic and he was all but focused at the moment.
Letting out a sigh he tried to relax himself enough to at least punch whatever was trying to kill him. He let his eyes roam the tree line yet the only indication of anyone being here was Blaze's growls and the knife on the ground. It was almost like the assassin was biding their time.
"I have no idea who you are or what you want, but I will not hesitate to shoot you if I have to!" He called out into the woods, Blaze's growls growing stronger and stronger.
There was no response, Nathaniel could swear he had heard a gasp from somewhere but other than that the woods where very quiet. The danger seemed to be over until suddenly another knife flew from the trees, this one would have hit his shoulder in case he hadn't fired an arrow at it, setting it of course.
Nathaniel had no idea how he had even reacted to the knife before finally realizing that he was holding a firm grip of his magic. He had gotten a second extra to react and that along with a lucky shot had been enough to save his chest from any flying knives.
The same couldn't be said for his shoulder though, another knife flying out from the trees and hitting off his body assuring him that a professional threw it. He cried out in pain and dropped the bow, holding his injured arm while Blaze howled and yipped at one of the trees only for the pup to be sent flying into a tree by a red blast of magic.
"Blaze!" The human yelled and rushed for the wolf only for him to be sent flying, hitting the tree next to the unconscious pup.
He groaned in pain before getting up, seeing several figures moving towards him through the trees. He growled and closed his eyes, focusing his magic before letting out a blast from his right hand that he had aimed towards the figures. The act sent him to his knees but the scream of pain brought a grin to his lips. No one was going to hurt his little companion and get away with it.
The figures, which now he realized walked on four legs, hid behind cover of the snowy trees, out of sight. Taking that as his chance Nathaniel picked up Blaze and ran for it, his right shoulder making him cry tears of pain as he hurried towards his camp.
Behind him a tree exploded in a red blast of magic, shards of wood and dirt being thrown up into the air as the old oak collapsed right next to him, making him hurrying up his attempt at escaping from the predators behind him.
The only thing that his mind could focus on was that he needed to get away, he needed to get the fucking knife out of his shoulder and he needed to move his camp in like twenty minutes. It seemed impossible, but so was blasts of green magic and he could make those without breaking a sweat, it made him exhausted instead.
That exhaustion proved to be his worst enemy as his normal stamina was reduced to nothing, the pain in his shoulder and use of magic making him drop to the ground several times as he made his way past familiar trees and large rocks. It didn't take him long to find an opening among the trees, his camp up ahead on the new path.
Running towards the camp he never even thought about the possibility of more attackers being there, to preoccupied with looking over the wolf pup in his arms. It really should have crossed his mind if he wasn't without any weapons (except a small knife) and currently more tired than he had been in his entire life.
The same second his foot crossed the line between woods and his camp clearing a metal rod was put in his way, hitting him in the head. He was flung to the floor, groaning in pain as he looked up to notice it was not a metal rod, but rather the handle of a black scythe.
"What kind of creature are you?." A confused female voice said above the downed human before he blacked out, wondering if Blaze was going to be ok.
Princess Luna's POV
As I looked down on the weird being cradling a wolf up in its arms only one clear question of the hundreds my mind could conjure up slipped out. A thought that all the guards around the small camp and in the trees all wondered with me.
"What kind of creature are you?" I asked (my own confusion making me slip up with speaking like a proper leader) only to be met with a pain filled groan as the being passed out, dropping the wolf pup from its arms.
I lit my horn and the young wolf was enveloped in a blue aurora, stopping it from hitting the ground. I could see the dark burnt patch of fur were a spell had hit its side, the sight making me wanna use the combat mages for melee practice. I ordered them to not use lethal spells yet they had sent a blast powerful enough to rip a tree in half straight into a wolf.
The only reason it was alive from what I could see was because of its breed, its pelt indicating a royal grey-wolf. From what I've heard the fur on the wolves were like magic absorbents, sucking up all the magic from a blast to minimize the damage. Yet the fur couldn't handle all the magic in the world, which meant that he wolf would start to take damage at some point. Case in point, the cub's burnt patch of fur.
"Princess! We have found massive amounts of pelts and salted meat!" A guard called from the hut like building and I held back my disdain for a second, needing to keep my expression professional.
"Art thee sure thee found meat?" I asked and turned to the guard for confirmation, it was rather easy to slip back into speaking with the Canterlot dialect
"Yes your majesty! We are sure this creatures are carnivorous!" The guard said with a salute, his grey fur and white mane a part of the enchantment their armor used to hide their true face.
"That thing is intelligent princess! It called out when I first threw a knife at it" A sanguine mare said and landed next to the strange creature below me.
'So it can speak? This gets more and more complicated' I thought with a sigh as the bat pony mare sniffed the blood pouring from the being's shoulder.
I watched as her eyes slowly took a red tint to them and her fangs grew out, ready to stab into the neck of our new prisoner. It was rather fascinating to see a sanguine preparing to feed, but we needed enough blood in him so he would get up again.
"Lieutenant Rose, art thee feeling well?" I asked the mare who snapped her maw shut and shook her head to clear it.
"Sorry lady Luna, the blood's getting pass the spell again" The bat pony murmured and walked away to stand with the night guards, leaving me alone with the being.
"Very well. Put the creature in the cage until further notice, and someone get me a healer for the wolf cub before I banish that fool, Major Fury to Tartarus!" I yelled and the squad's medic rushed up to the wolf and carried it away to the side.
"Speak of the mad god.." A gruff voice said behind me as I looked at the red furred unicorn stallion, his red eyes looking into my own blue ones.
"Major, art thee questioning my authority? My order was for the wolf to remain unharmed, a lethal spell to its side was not a part of that order" I growled and unicorn who just shrugged, his black tail flickering over the red fireball he had as a cuitemark.
"The little bastard took a chunk out of Osiris! You bet your flank I sent a dose of death its wa.." He started only to be cut of as I picked him up with my magic, throwing him to the ground.
"Thou art dismissed major Fury, go home" I huffed and walked past the Battle mage as I carried the creature in my magical grasp, gently putting him down next to the wolf so his wounds could be treated.
Lieutenant Rose flinched at the look the major gave me, yet it didn't bother me. He would not be dumb enough to do anything in full daylight. It was almost funny how clearly his hatred was felt through the clearing before he walked off with a huff, flanked by two guards.
I was sure he had ordered lethal force on the creature, if it wasn't for Tia's stubborn decision to keep him around for his family ties I would have thrown him out years ago. I could still throw him onto the ground though, which brought a small smile to my lips.
As the medic looked over the creature and the wolf, she got more information for us. Apparently the being was young from what she could see. He had scars across his body from fights with clawed creatures and he was "well endowed" according to the blushing mare as she looked under the cloak covering his body.
He had very little hair for a creature similar to an ape, having long black hair and a stubble of a beard while the rest his body only held some hair at a few places. The clothes he wore were made from animal skin, something which made everyone but Lieutenant Rose shuddering. The bow and knife he had been carrying was of very low quality but he had still survived out here.
"We found a weird rock princess" A guard called for me and I went over to the bolder and saw nothing special at first.
"The creature seemed to keep track on the days your majesty. It has been out here for almost half a year" The golden clad stallion said and I nodded, looking over the situation.
This thing could very well prove itself even more of threat than it already had, its ability to survive seemed to stem from luck yet it was no wonder our scout had problems finding this place, the beast had hidden its tracks well. Like it knew someone was watching him.
Osiris had approached the camp side on orders from Tia, to check out the monster that lived deep into the northern parts of the Everfree. The ponies that had came to us almost two months before had told me and my sister about a how great monster threw itself into battle against a couple of wolves wanting them for dinner.
Tia had of coursed feared the being the same second she heard about it and had made sure to send in scouts to look for it. Osiris was the first one to find his home, only for the creature's pet to attack the master spy and rip chunk out of his lug and throw it to the side.
Now the guards had the creature ready to be transported to the castle where me and Celestia could clear up the situation. So far it only seemed dangerous if threatened, yet that could always change, especially if it could speak and think like other sentient races.
I let my magic wash over the creature to scan for different things and soon opened my eyes in confusion. His magic was like staring into the sun. I had to let go of the scanning spell and take breather. That much raw power in the.. hands? Of a creature like this? Why?
"Princess it's time we go. We have evidence" A guard said and helped the medic stash the wolf and the creature into the cage before two guards started to pull on the wagon the cage rested on. As they moved away I couldn't help but wondering how Celestia would take the news of this creature's powers and luck.
As I left the clearing with the guards I glanced back onto the creature's seemingly well built camp one last time. Perhaps he would be allowed to return here later in his life. As I mused for myself Rose waved at me to follow, and so I did, guarding the prisoners as we took them to the castle for further investigation.
"What are you?" I asked one last time, and of course no response was given.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading the third chapter of Nathaniel's adventures in Equestria! I will try to keep posting as often as possible but you know how it is, life gets in the way somehow each day. I still haven't found an editor sadly
Update: My editor gave me the edited chapter, letting you be the judges of the thing
I want this as Nathaniel's theme song XD
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Chapter Twenty-five: The angel and the coast
Nathaniel took a long breath and looked at the ocean before him. The fishing village had been long abandoned by the time they got there. The small homes provided some shelter for the many Equestrian soldiers hurrying to retake the coast, allowing for supplies to be stored inside. The human didn't like the cold biting wind that hit his face whenever he stepped outside from one of the huts, but that was the least of their problem.
"So what!? We have no idea how many of them are waiting for us in the ruins! If you want to run off and waste your life then so be it! But do not drag your squad into this! Am I clear?" Osiris shouted angrily into the face of a familiar stallion with a blue mane.
The soldier that had injured Blaze grumbled and backed away from the Lunar Guardian. The former scout eyed him as he walked off, shaking his head. It seemed Nathan wasn't the only one that disliked that soldier's presence it seemed. So with swift movements the human made his way to Osiris who motioned him to follow. The two Guardians walked past groups of soldiers talking and laughing with each other. It was like the battle in Everfree hadn't even happened. It annoyed him to no end.
"Let them smile kid. It's important for any soldier to have moments of peace and calm." The golden furred stallion told him.
"Do have time for peace and calm? Luna is out there right now undergoing god knows what!" Nate hissed and Osiris shook his head.
"Lieutenant Aurora feels the same as you, that we should march before we have any information from our scouts. You heard what I told him did you not? That you would be wasting your life and the lives of others if you run in without thinking." The Lunar Guardian instructed the human with a calm voice.
"Those scouts better hurry up then.." Nate mumbled and Osiris nodded.
"We have had reports indicating," the stallion said looking over his shoulder, "that the griffins flagship is moving towards Canterlot. We need to dismantle whatever operations they have on the coast quickly, or our capital will fall in a few days."
A sigh escaped Nathaniel's lips. "So what is our priority? Find Luna or chase after the ships?"
"Both. We are tasked with protecting the princess but also to defend our nation from invaders. If we cannot find the princesses within the limited time we have been given then we will be forced to move towards Canterlot." Osiris said solemnly.
It seemed those scouts needed to move quickly then.
Nate sighed and his eyes flicked nervously around the village. "Can we contact anyone for help? Holy Light maybe? We'll need more than just us to stop those flying ships."
"He haven't sent a letter since he arrived at the southern border. We do not know if he's alive or not." Osiris responded with another shake of his head.
"Then what do we do? They must have ways to deal with pegasi or other flying enemies. We don't have anyone with us that can even the battlefield." Nate sighed.
The stallion gave the human an encouraging smile. "We'll figure something out kid, you just worry about the enemies on the ground."
"If you say so.." The man responded and looked upon the troops.
The pony soldiers had been forced to march the same second the injured could be carried. No one had questioned the order to just move on from the bloody battlefield, leaving behind the bodies of their fellow brothers and sisters in arms. The war had not lasted long, but already had so many died from the decision of one person. If Nate ever got close to Guto he'd inflict all the pain these soldiers felt upon his body.
Osiris departed from their conversation after being given a report from a scout. The stallion gave Nathaniel a nod before hurrying away to discuss the newly given information, leaving the human alone on the dirt road. Nate just let out a exhausted breath and kept walking down the path. The road passed each hut and cabin in the village until it eached Everfree or the ocean. From the laid path could Nathan see every soldier crammed into the space between the buildings or hiding inside from the horrible weather.
The fishing village had been owned by the ponies before they fled from the war. If they had moved south towards the Dark Kingdom then Rose feared they were already dead. The human just frowned and looked upon the homes now occupied by soldiers. He'd seen pictures and clips of war on tv and other things, but it was a huge difference between being an observer and actually being in the middle of a battle.
As Nathan pondered on these things Blaze suddenly ran up to his side with the man's bow and quiver firmly grasped with his maw. The human grinned at the sight and grabbed the weapon from the wolf. Other pets fetched bones or small animals, Blaze fetched deadly instruments of war.
"Wanna go hunting?" Nathaniel asked with a smile and the hound barked happily in response.
Taking Osiris words to heart Nathaniel smiled brightly and hurried towards the woods with the wolf following behind him. If a soldier needed some peace and calm then he would get himself some peace and calm.
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Lord Protector Silver Wing's POV
I ducked under the enemy fire and breathed heavily as black smoke rose from the town below. The griffin enemy ship once again loaded its canons and fired, Spectral quickly steering the Spellbinder to the left. The sudden movement caused our ship to slam into the mountain next to us, a terrible sound of metal grinding against rock assaulting our ears before the unicorn steered us away from the wall of rock. We had not been prepared at all for the enemy.
Once we finally reached the north had the griffins already destroyed a couple of yak and Minotaur villagers. The enemy war-ship had devastated the local farmland and done everything in their power to weaken the two northern nations. With just one war-ship had they managed to wipe out at least six villages. Compared to what had happened on the coast it was nothing, but I could see all those yaks and minotaurs in my mind, begging for their gods to save them.
Once we continued to follow the path of black smoke we soon came across a town. The walls were either broken or ablaze and screams of fear rose from below as our ship flew over the ruined settlement. Violet and Minted had looked upon destruction with grim expressions on their faces. The newly appointed corporal looked so sad as he watched the minotaurs of the town cover in fear, hiding from the ship's shadow. Violet and Spectral both looked equally disturbed by the sight, neither of them used to such horrible events.
It was at that moment the Spellbinder was almost hit by a great green beam of magic. The magical blast hit the mountain instead and the citizens below screamed in fear as rock rained down upon the already ruined town. Spectral Vision had quickly turned our broadside towards the ship and fired our own canons, yet the enemy simply dodged it. After our captain was forced to steer the ship into the mountain we tried to collect ourselves and hurried below deck to check up on the canons.
The weaponry worked without any manual labor thanks to the many runes Spectral had drawn on them, but they could still need a helping hoof. I helped Minted push a loose canon back into its slot while Violet ran across the room to make sure there was no damage to our ships ability to fly. If we dropped from the sky there would be no more hope for Equestria's survival.
While I tried my best to assist Spectral as he bombarded the griffon ship I could see our remaining dragons harassing the griffins at the two large canons. The canon slot was small but large enough for us to see how the teenage dragons spewed fire upon our enemies. It gave us a window to fire and Spectral didn't hesitate as he activated the canons from above deck. The weapons sucked in magic from the air until a red glow emanated from their barrels, a buzzing sound starting in the room. With that the impressive weapons fired and hit the enemy ship point blank, wood and griffin soldiers sent flying.
I grinned and hurried up to see the damage done to our enemies only for the Spellbinder to shake violently. I could smell burning wood and I almost fell down the stairs from the sudden impact on our ship. As I made my way above deck Spectral was gritting his teeth and steering us away from another blast. The enemy had landed a hit and it would have split us in half if it wasn't for our sky-metal reinforced hull.
The dragons had been forced to retreat after the griffins brought out bows and long spears. They were now capable of firing at us again and they were not gonna show us any mercy. I could see how they turned their prow towards us as well as their two large canons. The massive beasts of weaponry the griffins had could fit ten ponies in one of those barrels! How could they even support that kind of weight!?
"Spectral! Fire the damn mortar!" I yelled to our captain and hurried to the cauldron looking thing at our prow.
"It's still charging!" he yelled back and steered us out of the way as another shot was fired.
Our port was hit by one of the blasts and I heard Violet scream in pain. Smoke billowed up from the impacted area and Spectral growled. It was then our mortar finally finished charging, a blue light shining brightly from the device. I aimed it towards the other's ship location and nodded at the stallion behind the helm. Spectral returned the nod and slammed both his front hooves down onto the floor.
"FIRE!"
The power and sound from the explosion was enough to send me backwards, my wings pinned by my side as I rolled across the deck. I watched with a blurry vision as a large ball of blue light flew up into the sky before falling back towards Equees once more. The griffins screamed in panic and tried to steer clear but it was too late. The ball of magic slammed into the prow of the enemy ship, completely destroying the griffin canons and taking down many enemy soldiers with it. The ship was unarmed now it was starting to loose altitude.
Spectral grinned before noticing the griffon captain steering the damaged ship towards us. It seemed if they would die they were taking us down with them. With their ship quickly loosing its magical properties allowing it to fly they gained more and more speed. They were practically falling towards us at this point. I ordered Spectral to move out of the way but it was too late, they were too close. I could see the disappointed look of my father flashing before my eyes before I closed them. If I would die I would die with dignity, not fear.
It was then the enemy ship was suddenly smashed out of the sky by a giant bolder, sending it careening into one of the mountains. The enemy vessel was destroyed upon impact and the remains fell down outside the town, throwing up dust and ash into the air. Once it settled we could all see an impressive sight. The armies of the north marched down the icy mountain peaks and flooded the valley below, both banners from the Minotaurs and Yaks being seen by my keen scout. Violet and Minted walked up from below deck to witness the soldiers chant in an unknown language and blow triumphantly in horns. I could see catapults being dragged with them as well, one of them lacking its ammunition.
We had found them. We had found Equestria's salvation.
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Nathaniel's POV
Nathan looked at the rabbit with a concentrated glare and pulled back his bowstring. The arrow had been resting on it for over an hour and the man wanted nothing more then to let it go. But he needed to be cautious, as the animals were even more scared of sudden noises now since the war started. It was like the forest knew about all the death and destruction taking place within and outside its borders.
Nate was sitting perched on a thick tree branch and had been for the last fifteen minutes of the hunt. Blaze was hiding in some bushes not far away, ready to spring into action in case his owner missed his shot. The two knew what to do and worked in tandem to lure any creatures close enough for a killing blow. So far they had managed to catch two rabbits while three others had gotten away. The young human wanted a third rabbit to cook for blaze, as the city ruins wouldn't exactly be filled to the brim with game.
Nathaniel moved himself slowly down the branch to get a better look at the animal. The teen wanted to make sure his shot counted and that the risk for failure was minimal. So once the Lunar Guardian had a clear view of the animal among the branches and saw Blaze being ready to run he fired his arrow at the rabbit. The projectile flew across the air, a blue tail of light following it. The wolf below the human followed the arrow's path with interest before it finally hit the rabbit in the back, pinning it to the ground.
Nathan jumped down from the branch and walked towards the dead animal with Blaze following at his side. The man picked up the dead animal and strung it to his side where the other two rabbits hanged. It wasn't a lot of food but the human wouldn't complain. After all, there was a war going on. Blaze seemed at least to be happy with the catch as the hound tried to grab one of the dead animals, only for Nathan to lightly smack him on the snout.
Nate had an amused smile on his face as he spoke to the wolf. "Later. We need to get back and prepare for what awaits us among the ruins."
With that the man walked off with the wolf following behind him, hoping that the news from the scouts were good. The ponies sent to explore the city ruins had to be quick if they were to get back with detailed reports of the situation there. As Nate hurried through the dense forest he could see campfires in the distance. The army was too large to be confined to only the fishing village, so many simply put up camp in the Everfree. Nathan quickly passed these small and large camps on his way to the village, many nodding respectfully at him as he passed.
Once the human broke through the leaves he was immediately met by the sight of soldiers packing down things and running around. Rose was flying around overhead to count the available supplies and soldiers when she noticed the young man. The sanguine mare landed next to him and lead him towards the center of the fishing village, Osiris waiting on them both.
"The scouts have returned kid. The situation is not good." The stallion said grimly and walked into a nearby cottage for privacy.
Rose and Nathan followed him, the mare opening her mouth to speak. "How is it with the survivors?"
Osiris flinched at that.
"They.. They report of no known survivors among the ruins. It's even worse than we thought.." He muttered.
"No survivors?.." Nathaniel asked slowly.
"The entire city is rubble. The griffins reduced it to ash with their attacks and if anypony is alive they're buried under it all." Osiris told them both with a sigh.
Blaze had followed with them inside and he laid down with a sad whine. Rose looked horrified and turned away to collect herself, the sanguine feeling nothing but dread at the terrible news. Nate just looked to be in disbelief and shock for a few seconds before his facial expressions showed nothing but grief and anger.
The human let out a scream filled with rage and sorrow before punching through one of the cottage walls. He could see the events in his mind, the battle to reclaim Baltimare, the sudden appearance of the griffon warship and Luna's scared expression as it turned the city around her to ash. They had killed her. They had truly killed her.
A low growl rose from the man's throat as he stood up, closely watched by the three others in the room. "I'm gonna kill them all."
The human's promise made Osiris close his eyes and bow his head while Rose tried to not cry. There was no survivors in Baltimare, only griffin soldiers. The report given to Osiris was clear about how the possibility of finding anyone alive under the rubble since the battle took place was slim. There was nothing for their army among those ruins, nothing but dust and enemies.
"Prepare the troops to march Rose. Kid, get the hammer. We will show them the true might of the Equestrian army." Osiris growled and marched out of the cottage with the rest following him.
It was time to turn the tide.
Nathaniel ran for his equipment and quickly strapped his sword to his left side, placed Valkyrie on his back, attached his grimoire to his right side and slid the bow over his shoulder. As a final touch the man grabbed his black cloak and attached it around his neck. Blaze barked at the sight and followed his owner as Nate walked down the fishing village's dirt roads. The man waited by the end of the village, seeing more and more soldiers hurrying to pack down their things. It only took them maybe thirty minutes to be ready to go once more.
"The severely injured will be left behind to rest. A few healers and cooks will stay with them but that's it." Rose said as she walked up to stand beside the teen.
Osiris wasn't far behind the sanguine. "The soldiers are ready for another fight. Just give the word and they will follow."
Nate looked over the many ponies heading towards them with nod. They were not gonna fail this time, they were not gonna fail Equestria. His hands tightened into fists as he thought about Luna, how she had already given her life for the pony nation. Nathaniel would do no less.
"We march!" He yelled as the soldiers gathered and the teen lead them all towards the burned city far in the distance.
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Prince Tyr's POV
I looked around the cargo hold with caution as I entered. The rebels had said they would meet me here at midnight and the moon was high in the sky. I had been forced to sneak out of my room when the guards outside where switching shifts. They grew lazy after the first day and didn't really keep tabs on me as much as they should've. I hoped I had enough time to hear what these griffins had to say, considering what they were asking of me was not an easy sacrifice to make.
"So the prince decided to save his people." A voice called out in the large room and I looked around.
The cargo hold was filled to the brim with weaponry and supplies. Boxes of stuff were everywhere and it created a maze of pathways to the middle of the room. I headed down one of the passageways until I came upon the large open area in the middle of the room. The staff had made this area for themselves to take a break if I remembered correctly, but with the war effort they didn't exactly get a lot of time to relax.
"Show yourselves." I commanded and held my dagger tightly with one talon.
You could never be too careful.
I spotted five griffins walk out from the labyrinth of boxes, one of them looking no older than me. His blue and white feathers stuck out to me as he stepped out into the light. The torches on the walls were giving off just enough light for me to make out their colour schemes. The blue and white griffin seemed to be the leader of the group as they all stood behind him. The other four griffins were all a mix between black and brown, most of them holding weapons ready.
"We're surprised you actually showed up. We'd imagine you wouldn't want to betray your father." Their leader said and my eyes drifted to the floor.
"My father would never have reduced a city to ash. My father wouldn't send countless soldiers to their meaningless deaths. That griffon is not my father." I said firmly and their leader nodded encouragingly.
"Then you have seen the truth my lord. Your father is burning all in his path, including his own people." The griffon said and I reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"I will not let him kill any more innocent ponies. If he manages to get to Canterlot the city will fall and he will have won this war." I said and sheated my dagger.
"Which is why we need to sabotage the ship. The Griffonian Feathers sent us to buy time for the Equestrian army, which we will have succeeded with by the time the sun rises." Their leader said confidently with a grin.
"Sabotage the Ygrid ? This is the flagship of our fleet! There are hundreds of guards and staff on board! Who do you think you are if you believe you can just sabotage a vessel like this?" I hissed and the griffon grinned.
"My name is Daren and I'm simply part of the staff on the ship my lord. No one questions us when we go into a secure room or when we work on the canons. We have been planning this for months, but only now do we have an opportunity to go through with our plan." Daren told me.
"And what exactly is your plan? You can't sabotage the balloons because they'll notice it and all sensitive weaponry like those corruption bombs are locked away." I said and the blue feathered griffon smirked.
"The bombs are locked away your highness. Only those with the highest authority can gain access to them, like members of the royal family." Daren said and his plan finally dawned on me.
"You want me to detonate the bombs on the ship.. You want to use them to create pandemonium and chaos, which would heavily slow down the Ygrid ." I said with the realization hitting me hard.
"You are our only hope Tyr. Either you help us or your father will win this war." The rebel leader said.
They wanted me to detonate some of our scientists most horrible creations inside an enclosed space. They wanted me to possible infect hundreds with corruption disease, turning father's pet project against him. But that could end up killing even more of our soldiers! The bombs had been intended for any resistance the ponies would put up and I wouldn't allow them to be used like that. But if I turned them on our own soldiers I would be no better than father! They would also know it was me after I detonated the bombs, there was no way for this plan to work!
I sighed before I addressed Daren."I can't do that.. Even if I wanted to turn those weapons on ourselves father would figure out it was me."
The blue and white feathered griffon frowned at those words and shook his head. "You would be forced to leave the ship, become a traitor to Griffonia. I know what we're asking isn't easy, but too many of our own have given their lives to get us this far. Only you can do this prince. There is no one else." Daren said sympathetically before giving me a worn medallion depicting a moon.
"This is a Lunar Guardian's medallion.. Where did you get this?" I asked him slowly as I held the medallion.
"From the princess of the night herself." The griffon claimed and I looked at him in confusion.
"Princess Luna is alive? I thought she perished with Baltimare!" I exclaimed in shock.
"Captain Steelbeak captured her. He is bringing her to the Ygrid as we speak. One of our agents was stationed on his ship and stole that from her personal belongings. He sent it to me through one of those small flying ships your father installed before coming here. When you flee from the ship use that to prove your story for the Equestrian army. We will help clear the way for your escape but when you leave the ship you are on your own." Daren said and looked over his shoulder.
It sounded like a door was opening somewhere in the room.
"We're counting on you prince." Was the last thing he said to me before he and his four companions hurried back into the labyrinth of boxes.
All I could do was to look upon the medallion and make a decision, a decision that would affect this war. I swallowed thickly before hurrying out from the cargo-hold. I needed to decide now, because we were all out of time. So with a deep breath I looked ahead of me into the corridor and walked towards the security storage. The bombs were stored on the same level as the cargo-hold and they were heavily guarded.
I tried my best to imitate my father's annoyed look and moved down the empty hallways. I eventually passed a few guards that didn't dear question why I was there. Hopefully I looked intimidating enough for them all to back off until I got to the bombs. My hooves was one of the few things that made noises on the silent fifth floor as I headed towards the security storage.
I had walked down the corridor for a couple of minutes when I suddenly stood in front of a metal door guarded by two griffins. The two guards looked at me with suspicion but they bowed nonetheless. I would be forced to use father's 'authoritative' voice. I glared at both guards before I spoke, making sure my voice was dripping with malice.
"My father the king sent me to collect a few bombs. I am to bring them to him before the hour is over, is that understood?" I asked them, puffing out my chest and spreading my wings slightly.
"Of course your highness. We will never interfere with the king's work." One of them said and unlocked the door with a large iron key.
I stepped into the security storage with relieved sigh and looked around. The walls were stacked with shelves upon shelves with the black bombs. They were round things with a red glowing rune on them, indicating the darkness hiding inside. I wasn't a unicorn but I could still feel the corruption inside those bombs, tempting me with power beyond my wildest dreams.
I shook my head and looked around for anything else that could be useful and my eyes landed on an armor set. It was made for a hippogriff, made out of a silver-like material. My eyes grew wide as I read the name engraved on the armor, my mind in a state of confusion. 'Tyr' was engraved proudly on the armor's side. Had father made it for me? Had he custom made armor for me? I touched the armor and I immediately was even more impressed with what I was seeing. It was made out of sky-metal.
"You made this for me father?.." I whispered and grabbed the helmet from the display stand and put it on.
I slipped on the rest of the outfit with some difficulty and looked over myself. My brown feathered wings were free to move around thanks to two holes on the armor back while the rest of my back and torso were covered. Chainmail attached the front piece of armor to the back piece that covered my flank. It was all made from sky-metal, crafted to protect as much of my body as possible.
"Thank you father for this gift." I stated simply to a griffon that no longer existed.
With a deep breath I then walked over to the bombs and hit the rune on one of them. It started to blink and count down from twenty. I did the same with as many bombs I could before hurrying out from the security storage. The two guards looked at me in confusion as I suddenly burst through the door and they yelled something after me when the bombs detonated.
The explosion was minimal, causing broken bones at most. But it was what the bombs released that was truly dangerous. I could see the black smoke fill the corridor behind me and I ran as quickly as possible. The armor was light as a feather and didn't hinder my movement in the slightest, but it wouldn't protect me against corruption sickness. I made sure to to take the quickest way up to the first deck, running up stairs and shoving anyone trying to stop me out of the way. The alarm had started bleering again but not because of a battle but rather the poisonous gas spreading across the ship.
The few times I was almost stopped I was quickly saved by a Griffonian Feather, the warriors throwing themselves on the normal soldiers. Daren himself joined me as I ran down the corridors and up the stairs, directing me towards the nearest exit. He eventually left me to hide, not wanting to reveal his position as a spy. It left me racing to get up from the ship's bowels, which I finally did when I ran up a flight of stairs and looked upon the main deck.
"Tyr!!!!!!!" I heard my father scream in rage and I narrowly avoided a spear thrown in my direction.
My father looked like a monster. His eyes were glowing a bright yellow and his look seemed to contain nothing but spite. Those were not the eyes of a storyteller nor the eyes of a warrior. Those were the eyes of a beast. I simply ran for the edge of the ship and jumped, feeling something hit my new armor. As I spread my wings and took flight I saw my father gathering magic in his right talon. It was a sickly yellow that seemed to feed on his very essence, and it terrified me. Griffins couldn't use magic!
My father then fired a beam of magic from one of his talons, the sickly yellow energy spreading up his right front leg.
I was so stunned by the sight that I failed to evade the attack, the beam hitting one of my wings. I fell from the sky with a scream and desperately tried to even myself out so I would crash into the trees below. The Everfree stretched from the coast to the princesses castle and we were still flying over it. I managed to unfurl my damaged smoking wing and I steered myself towards the east. If Daren's plan would work I needed to tell the ponies about what had happened on the Ygrid .
It was then I narrowly avoided being hit by great green beam of magic. It hit the trees below me and the amount of dust and fired spewed up into the air gave me ample cover to hide from anymore canon fire. I breathed hard and flapped both my wings as I tried to get as much distance between me and my father as possible. I didn't even care that my right wing hurt or that I was covered in ash and dust. I was free. Now I just needed to get to the Equestrian army.
I dove down among the trees and hurried down the path of trees. Father would send soldiers after me, so I needed to be long gone once they realized I had hidden among in the woods. I made sure to keep my eyes on where the stars were up in the sky as I tried to make my way towards the coast. It would take me a lot longer then I wanted but once the ponies knew princess Luna would be on the Ygrid they would have hope again. I could feel the winds of fate guiding me through the Everfree as I heard canon fire far away, my father trying futilely burn me alive.
Freedom hurt. But maybe that was a good thing.
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Nathaniel's POV
Nathaniel ducked down behind some debris and peeked over the edge of the former building. He could clearly see a large group of griffins moving through the ruins. There had to be at least two hundred of them, every single one looking bored and restless. They didn't expect an attack then, which would serve the Equestrian army's purpose well. Nathan saw Rose stick her head up from another large pile of debris further away, the man nodding at her and raising his open palm into the air. The same second he saw all griffins turn their backs to Rose's location closed his hand into a fist, and all hell broke loose.
Pony soldiers rushed down the ruins with war-cries and slammed into the griffin soldiers. The enemy was completely caught of guard and many griffins fell before they could even react to what was happening. Nate left his cover with Valkyrie in hand and rushed down the rubble to join his allies in the fray. The human slammed the magical weapon into the ground and sent out a shock-wave of energy that sent many griffins flying. The young man rose his weapon to the sky and rallied his troops before sprinting into the middle of the enemy group.
Nate hit griffon after griffon with his mighty weapon, either killing them or maiming them. The pony soldiers followed and soon had every griffin surrendered or been killed. The three Lunar Guardians used this momentum of the battle and hurried to clear out other enemies hiding in the ruins. Osiris ran ahead over a hill and the others followed, seeing another valley of the ruined city. The griffins knew they were coming this time and arrows suddenly rained down upon them, Nathaniel raising a shield around himself and his companions.
"Don't let them separate the army. Hit them with one combined force and they will crumble!" Osiris yelled to the human who nodded and ran down towards the enemy.
The Equestrian army once again clashed into a group of griffins but with the enemy ready for the attack it didn't have the same effect. The hostile army managed to get into position with the most heavily armed fighting off the pony soldiers while the archers kept raining down arrows upon them. The pony mages provided what shields they could muster, but they were to few being forced to cover a too large area.
Nate once again used Valkyrie to push off any griffon getting close. The man had to be cautious when using the weapon as he didn't want to kill his allies, but he still wanted to make the griffins hurt. With a battle-cry the teen threw himself at a griffon with full plated armor, slamming his war-hammer into the enemy's side. The soldier flew back with a 'oof' but quickly got back up and swung a great-sword at the human. Nathan blocked the blow with Valkyrie's handle and pushed the griffon back with a snarl.
Suddenly something hit the ground next to Nathan and exploded. He was sent flying and lost his grip on the war-hammer, much to his dismay. The man hit the ground and rolled on his side for a few meters before he looked up with a groan. In one of the still standing houses on the hills was a canon mounted to the floor. Through a hole in the wall could the weapon fire upon the battle below, decimating the pony forces. Nathan saw how the canon fired once more towards the direction of Osiris and Blaze. The wolf had joined Osiris side during the fighting as running around Nate's leg was dangerous when he fought with Valkyrie.
The human got to his feet and drew his sword, running towards his two friends. Any enemy that got in his way was either cut down or pushed back as the man threw himself onto both wolf and stallion, pushing them out of the way. The ground where the two had been standing on exploded in a shower of rock and dust as the magical canon hit its target.
"Thanks kid.." Osiris said in a bit of a shock before hurrying to his hooves and running towards the canon.
Blaze joined his owner's side and bit into the leg of a nearby griffon who screamed in pain. Nate finished off the enemy soldier by burrowing his blade into the enemy's chest before pulling it out. It was then another explosion rocket the battlefield and Nathaniel looked in horror as another canon started to fire into the valley, hitting pony and griffin alike. It was becoming a bloody massacre instead of an easy assault.
It was then a great roar pierced the sky and Nate looked up to see a great shadow moving across the clouds. The griffins maning the canons up on the hill shouted panicked orders to each other before suddenly a great red shape landed on the broken building, crushing it. Nathaniel looked in awe as a great red dragon roared in triumph and spewed flames to the heavens the enemy soldiers running in fear. It was futile as another large dragon with blue scales landed on the other canon and roasted what enemies ran up the hill. Soon smaller dragons joined the fight and the griffin numbers quickly fell.
"Nate! Catch!" A familiar voice yelled to the human as Valkyrie flew across the air, the man catching it.
Charcoal landed next to Nate with a grin, his green scales reflecting the battle around them. The young man quickly embraced the dragon and laughed, looking at the aid sent from above. They stood a chance now, they could retake the coast and face Guto with the help of the dragons.
"The dragons would follow you, that is the promise we gave to the Guardian!" The teenage dragon said and the two adult dragon bowed their heads at the human.
"You came all this way to simply help me?" Nate asked the dragon who nodded.
"So Nathan, what's next?" Charcoal asked the Lunar Guardian with a grin.
Nathaniel looked over the ruined city before his eyes settled on the north, towards Baltimare. They still had a princess to find and more griffins to force of their land. This war was far from over.
"Follow me." Was all the human said before running over the hill with his allies not far behind him.
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Hidden Sorrow's POV
I sniffled as the sounds of laughing got closer to my jail cell. The mean griffins did this every time they found some wine and I hated it. I shuddered in fear as I heard their deep voices outside my cell, their armor making rustling noises as they moved closer. I didn't want them to hurt me again. I didn't want them to cut my other ear as well! I sobbed and just wanted mommy to save me.
"Open the damn door Miik!" A voice yelled and I backed into a corner as three large griffins entered my cell.
"Look at the puny little thing! Probably pissed himself out of fear when he saw us eh?" One of them said and walked towards me.
"Yeah! Isn't this little freak supposed to be part demon or something? Show us a trick little guy!" The first griffon laughed.
The third griffon just watched me, his two pink eyes starring at me intently. What did they want? I had already done all the things the evil king asked of me! I choked down a sob for my mom but the second griffon heard it anyway.
"Naw did you hear that Miik? The little demon is scared!" The second soldier laughed as I continued to sob.
Miik was the third soldier it seemed, and his two pink eyes seemed really out of place. Even with the fear I felt likt they didn't fit him. It was like they were't part of his head. It made me shudder and curl up even more in my corner. I just wanted to go home, I didn't want to stay here any more when all they did was hurt me and laugh at me.
"Miik say something ya twat! You've been quiet all day!" One of the soldiers yelled in Miik's face only for their head to suddenly twist at a odd angle under a pink glow.
The second soldier jumped back in fear only for the same thing to happen to him, both of the griffins falling onto the ground. I breathed really quickly and looked up at the third soldier with fear. I tried to back into the other corner and hide but there was nowhere to go. I closed my eyes and cried, just wanting to see mommy again. I just wanted to sleep in my bed with mom there to tell me a bedtime story.
"Shhhhh little one, you're safe now." A soft voice said and I opened my eyes.
A strange mare stood in front of me. She had two pink eyes with one of them looking cracked. Her mane and tail was green at first before it became pink again. Her legs had holes in them but she wasn't bleeding and on her back was two insect wings. What was she?
"My name is Chrysalis," She started and gently placed one of her hooves on my head, "and I've come to rescue you."
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Author's Note
There we go, chapter 25! I'm finally updating again and I will continue to do so until the story is complete. Have a good night everyone and thank you for reading!
