Long Live The Princess

Chapter 12 - The Next Step

They came for Applejack later that same day, two guardsmen. Armed but not aggressive, they had no need for threats or harsh words here; Applejack came willingly.

It was quiet all throughout the city, no riots, no protests. Only the crunch of military hooves on gravel from patrolling guardsmen. Any spirit of resistance was long crushed and dead, naught but the loud silence of simple obedience left.

They escorted Applejack to the somber titan of Oathtree Castle where even still very little noise or movement could be heard and the creaks of the bastion door created open. Twilight sat upon her throne, clad in resplendent armour and a tall crown, a fine cape rested across her shoulders. Gone was Applejacks friend, replaced with the embodiment of the crown.

"My lady," Applejack said as respectfully as she could, though she still did not bow.

"...you may leave us," Twilight said to the two guards after a moment, they saluted and left Twilight and Applejack alone.

"So, it's come to this," Applejack said.

"I tried other avenues," Twilight said. "I truly did, at every stage and step, no action was taken without thought. I wanted to end this peacefully, but it became impossible."

"So what now?" Applejack asked bitterly. "Imprisonment? How many families will you tear apart in all this?"

"For some, yes that will be the consequences," Twilight paused for a moment. "For you... I know you opposed to Union in many areas, and I cannot in good faith consider you guilty of the same crimes, yet you were a prominent member; guilty by association, so something must be done."

"Can Macintosh tend to the farm?" Twilight asked, her tone much softer.

"He can."

"Then it is my duty to inform you, Applejack Apple, that you are henceforth banished from Ponyville and her surrounding territories forthwith, upon pain of death or imprisonment you are never to return," Twilight said. "Go to your family in Applesoosa, rebuild your life there, there's nothing for you here anymore."

"So that's it then," Applejack said, her voice cracking. "With friends like you, who needs enemies?"

"I..." Twilight stuttered, the tone in Applejacks voice giving her pause. Until Twilight cleared her throat and spoke with greater conviction. "I have my duty."

"Last I checked, you were suppose ta be the princess of friendship, not duty," Applejack said and with nothing else to say she turned and left, Twilight swore she saw tears glistening in the eyes if the pony who used to be her friend.

Twilight remained in her throne after, staring at where Applejack had been. She didn't notice she had company until Rainbow Dash stepped into the spot Twilight had been staring at and saluted.

"Situation is going very well, ma'am," Rainbow said. "All our prisoners are compliant, as per your orders we released some of the minor rioters from the day before but we've kept onto the major Unionist ringleaders, not a soul is up in protest after this."

"The city has been made complacent," Twilight said, almost to herself. "But in that act I have betrayed an old friend, someone who I once stood by, laughed with, someone who I would have died for... I am the princess of friendship, have I not just corrupted that title and betrayed it's purpose?"

"Begging your pardon, ma'am," Rainbow said. "But you haven't betrayed anything or anyone, Applejack did, she decided that her kin and her beliefs were more important to her; and you only responded in kind, if anyone is guilty of betrayal it's her."

"Your straightforward logic is always a comfort, Rainbow," Twilight said with a smile.

"And if you're still concerned about pushing people away..." Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. "You still have me... I'm not going anywhere... Ma'am."

"Indeed," Twilight said softly. "You are easily my most loyal ally, and without you none of this would be possible... I fear I haven't show my gratitude enough to you."

"To serve is reward enough for the good soldier," Rainbow said. Twilight recognized the phrase from the Equestria Militarus Syllabus, a doctrine taught to all Equestrian soldiers.

"Still..." Twilight said, rising from her throne and slowly approaching where Rainbow was standing to attention. "You deserve to know how much I appreciate and... Care for you, while I may often choose harsh words and harsher tones, know that my... Feelings for you remain tender."

"Ma'am I..." Rainbow faltered as Twilight closed the distance, their faces a breaths away before Twilight leant forward and planted a soft kiss on Rainbows cheek before then pulling her into a hug.

"You are a good friend, Rainbow," Twilight said softly as Dash stiffly hugged her back. "And I hope you will always be at my side."

"I always will, ma'am."

"Now..." Twilight said, releasing the hug and holding Rainbow at length. "Gather the others, it's time to regroup, in these times we must take stoke of who our friends are..."

They gathered around what was once the table-map which had guided Twilight to many adventure but had long since lay dormant and devoid of any guidance. Six crystal chairs stood in a circle around the table and five of them now stood filled.

Twilight gazed across to them, her allies, her friends? In a way. There was Rainbow Dash to her right, Honey Cream to her left, both she trusted and considered friends. Rarity also sat amongst them, today wearing a high-collared white satin coat. She was Twilights friend certainly, but her nature left more that few unanswered questions about some of her intentions, still, Twilight valued her intelligence.

Golden Dust, however, sitting there looking as he always did in a fine suit and manicured hair and fur. He was still a wild card, an enigma, a potential risk. He had maintained that his only motivation was coin. Yet any stallion with the pull he had, the knowledge he maintained, was a danger. Yet for now, the benefits outweighed the risks.

"Welcome, all of you, thank you for coming," Twilight said. "All of you have in some way contributed to the continued stability of my rule in some significant way, and while most of you were no doubt aware of each other in some capacity I have gathered us here today to officiate this gathering, my council, as a unified force so that not might I address you all together but you might communicate in tandem and combine resources towards mutual goals."

"Perhaps, introductions may be in order?" Rarity offered, as she and the others gave looks towards Golden Dust, who, up until the point had been little more than a whisper to them.

"You may all all me Golden Dust," he said smoothly before anyone could speak up, Golden was staring up at the ceiling with a bemused smile on his face. "All else is not of import, just know that I know anything you need to know, I hope, in time, you all become confident in my contributions as I am sure our dear Lady already has."

"I have," Twilight said carefully. "Golden Dust has been invaluable in my recent works, and I am sure he shall continue to be invaluable."

"Now," Twilight continued. "Honey Cream, you have something for us?"

"Oui, zis morning a letter was received," Honey Cream placed the letter on the table. "Addressed to our dear Twilight from ze one Lord Forest Green, an invitation to a gathering of the nobility, a private an unsanctioned affair, something zhat might be looked on badly by the Imperial Court."

"Rarity?" Twilight asked.

"These things are more common than you might assume," Rarity said. "I've been the eye candy for more than one young lord who attended these things, a chance for the well-bred of our society to converse, gossip, even scheme in some instances."

"Then what does this invitation mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, and it was Golden Dust who answered.

"They want a measure of you," he said. "The good lord Forest Green was attempting to do that when he visited here, but now the rest want to gage you, see your worth; now that you have proven that your control over lands shall not be challenged from within they wish to see what they can make of you, it's even possible they may come to accept you as a member of their secretive company."

"Hm, and where is this event to be held?" Twilight asked.

"Las Pegasus," answered Honey Cream.

Twilight was sure she wasn't the only one to notice the sour expression that, however briefly, flashed across Golden Dusts face. She said nothing about it.

"Well I have no choice but to attend and scope out the competition as it were," Twilight said. "Rarity shall be my guest and Rainbow Dash my escort."

"I trust you understand the high standards of etiquette expected of you, dearest Captain?" Rarity said in a mocking tone.

"Officer Balls in the army were no different," Rainbow shrugged. "Fake smiles, fake chatter, empty platitudes, I shall keep a few easy to digest war stories in my back pocket to entertain anyone should need be and I'll try and fit as many medals on my uniform as possible."

"Splendid," Rarity said, seemingly satisfied.

"Moving on," Twilight said. "Golden Dust, where are we in the issue of the supposed Fiend living in our border forest?"

"I have tasked several experienced experts to the task," Golden Dust. "I am confident the matter will be resolved in due time..."

It was later that night, under the light of a full moon. That hug hulking mass would push aside ancient trees and crush them underneath as it moved its form through the wood. A Fiend was a chaotic thing, born of the abyssal darkness of the Void and brought into the mortal realm; its body was as large as a dragons with hunched hooves back legs and front arms long and muscular with long claws. It's goat like head peered into the night with three eyes stuck in between two large antlers.

Yet this voidspawn demon was the subject of a hunt as in a nearby bush hunched a figure. His shined and bright plate armour hidden under a dark cloak and his wife and heavy greatsword already drawn and at the ready. As the Fiend began to sniff the air, clearly picking up on the scent, the Hunter attacked.

He lunged forward and jumped high, bringing his sword down in a deadly chop which caught the muscle between the Fiend's shoulder and neck. Black blood spewed out like a geyser as the beast screamed in pain and rage. After the Hunter landed he barely had time to dodge as the Fiend charged at him with antlers lowered, the Hunter rolled away and let the thing crash into the nearby trees.

The Hunter used the moment that he had as the Fiend was momentarily dazed to close the distance and deliver two carefully chosen cuts to its two back legs. He targeted the muscles and tendons at their most vulnerable spots, severing them all completely and crippling the demon.

Yet even as the Fiend fell backwards, unable to use its hind legs, its third eye began to flow white. The Hunter averted his eyes yet he still felt a pressure upon his mind, dark whispers clouded his thoughts and he was overcome with a feeling of apathy and fear which threatened to consume him. Yet he focused his mind, chanting a prayer to the Holy Two Goddesses, asking for the protection of he Sun and Moon, and declaring his loyalty to them; with these faithful declarations his mind was clear and he was able to break the spell.

Thusly he lunged forward once more and drove the point of his sword deep into the Fiends head, right through its third eye.

When morning came Twilight found herself fascinated by the severed Fiend head that the Hunter had placed at the foot of her throne. More so than the one who had slain the thing.

"My, my, a rare sight!" Twilight exclaimed. "Fiends only appear, or so I read, when great animosity is felt, they are drawn to negative emotions and feed off of them. It must have been the protests and civil unrest that had initially summoned it, but with that gone it quickly lost strength! Fascinating, and a clear and symbolic end to the internal struggles we have been facing. Well done, Hunter, I'll see that you're paid in full-"

"That won't be necessary, Your Grace," the stallion said, his accent fine.

It was only then, as he removed his hood, that Twilight paid any attention to the "Hunter." He had fine features, a smooth and strong jaw, soft eyes of silver-blue, and a mane of ice-blue which hung just a tad longer than what a stallion might usually wear. And as he removed his cloak Twilight saw that he wore finely Smithers plate, shined and well-maintained. He had not the bearing of a common mercenary.

"I do not understand," Twilight said, placed on the retreat in the face of the sudden mystery. "Did you not slay this beast in response to the bounty I placed upon it?"

"While indeed it was news of this beast and your desire for it to be slain which brought me to the act," the stallion said. "My motivation was not coin, but to honour your wishes and to dispel such a foul demon in the name of your glory, oh fairest lady."

"Who are you, tell me your name," Twilight said.

"I am Ser White Winter of Snowhawk," the knight said, bowing deeply.

"A knight?" Twilight asked, surprised. "A northern knight? And a member of House Winter? What fortune is this?"

"I recognize your name," Rainbow Dash suddenly said, standing to Twilight's side. "You were at Salterrada Bridge, I remember you stood with the heavy troopers."

"And I remember you streaking through the sky with the Bolts," White Winter said, rising from his bow. "A shame we have not spoken before this, after all while I may be known for just one battle, you have fought a thousand more nameless ones."

"The question still begs to be answered," Twilight interjected. "As to why you travelled all the way from Vanhoover, and Snowhawk, to slay a random beast in the name of a southron princess."

"Ah, well, in truth I set out to meet you, Your Grace, originally not for the purpose of this monster," White Winter said. "Though it was rather convenient that it happened to turn up, as it gave me the opportunity to bestow a gift as is custom; no, I set out to see you, oh most fairest lady, to pledge my sword and life to you."

"I beg your pardon?" Twilight asked. "And why would you do that? Do you not serve Lord Winter?"

"I did, though he needs me not," White Winter said. "My uncle has more than enough loyal Knights, no, even before your rightful crowning as a noble lady I heard tale of your courage, your aptitude, your deeds, and your... Great beauty, oh I must admit I was taken away with the tales of you, my lady, and when I heard that you had been named Lady Paramount of Ponyville? Ah! Finally I could show my admiration for you, oh goddess!"

With that White Winter removed his greatsword from his back and placed it at Twilight's hooves and knelt as Twilight and Rainbow Dash shared a look.

"Will you accept my sword, my life? Such as it is?" White Winter asked.