Morning came with triumphant music bursting from the seams of the night, the birds crying out in jubilation of a new dawn. As the creatures of the forest and the ponies of the town all shook off their dreams and nighttime slumber, there was one creature who did not appreciate the bounties of daybreak. From within the recesses of a dark room, slumbered the creature, but as the sun rose a pale needle of sunlight slipped through the curtains, shining onto the creature's face...who then proceeded to sleepy grumble about "being to early...sassafrassgrmble...cutting it out little sunshine..." before rolling over and covering his head with the blanket provided. However the sun was not to be denied, and did something that it had not done for thousands of years; The sun then proceeded to shift over to the right a little bit before shining a bit brighter. Now, to those who knew no better they shrugged it off as being a brighter than usual morning, but the effect on the creature was more pronounced, as now the little sliver of sunlight shifted over to shine directly onto the creature's tightly shut eyes and shone right through them.

"...Grmblwr, alright little Sunshine, alright Im up." grated a gravely voice, as the creature raised himself to the sitting position in his bed and glared accusingly at the shut blinds who had failed in their duty to keep their occupant sleeping peacefully through morning.

Begrudgingly, Farren stood up in his decidedly cozy little room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes he inspected his room in more detail now that he had time to. The room itself was nothing special, decorated in a spartan fashion with a single set of the standard bed, table, chair affair. To be honest It looked more like a storage closet that was hastily converted into a spare room through the contrivances that is 'magic'(insert jazz hands here). Softly stumbling down the steps with lead feet, he slipped into the kitchen downstairs and proceeded to raid the pantry and fridge for supplies before getting down to business(-TO DEFEAT, THE HU-).

After a few hiccups, a montage of epic proportions, a few cases of satanic crimes against food, and the traumatic experience that is Gummy; a distinctly seductively delicious smell wafted up through the tree house. After a few moments of silence, the quiet morning was interrupted by the frantic clip-clop-skitter-scrabble of the home's other two occupants making a mad dash for the source of the delicious smell. Turning the final corner into the kitchen, there waited Farren, sitting at the table, quietly sipping a mug of coffee. That wasn't all that noteworthy, however; what lay on the table infront of him was of greater import.

"PANCAKES!!!"

"Yes, I made a fresh batch this morning, care to have one?"

"YES."

For the next few minutes, the quiet air of the morning, carefully cultivated and cared for, was taken out back and shot by the noisy gobbling and smacking of lips as the cakes of the pan were dragged screaming into the void that was the stomach. After the great pancake massacre, the pony and her dragon brother both laid back in their chairs in satisfaction. Their belly's full and their minds now slipping into a food coma of epic proportions. But before they could fully succumb, they were woken back up once again by the sudden advent of Spike coughing up a scroll in a brighter than usual burst of dragonfire. Taking it in her magic, Twilight opened the scroll and proceeded to read it out loud;

"Dear Twilight,

The scroll you sent to me regarding the incident with the diamond dogs troubles me greatly, as king Ironjaw did promise to keep his pack out of our lands in exchange for fair trade and willing assistance by our ponies. I know this is a bit sudden, but could you and Uncle Farren join us for the emergency summons today in the afternoon? It is imperative that Uncle be here for the proceedings, as I could not ask for a better witness, nor a more qualified adviser. Though please, ask him. He does not need to come if he does not wish. All the same, I will need an answer soon, as the Day Court will be starting soon.

Warmest Regards, Princess Celestia."

Looking up to the man in question Twilight saw that he was sitting still as stone in his seat, his face an unreadable expression of neutrality, and his hands clasping each other with tense contemplation.

"Farren? Do you wish to go? I know you had bad experiences with politics and such. You don't have to if you so wish."

Standing up, Farren quietly walks to the kitchen doorframe, resting his hand on the frame, he looks back to Twilight with a gaze burning with grim determination.

"I have been called, I must answer. Pack your things Twilight, we are going to the meeting."

Canterlot has been subject to many great events; the founding of Equestria, the Hearthswarming, Luna's Fall to Nightmare Moon, the subsequent Age of Strife in which three separate wars were fought, two in Griffonia, one in the Dragon lands, the Canterlot Revolution in which Celestia Culled the noble council and took over as princess in Canterlot, the final battle of the Everfree against Arachnia and her cabal of Spider-Ponies, The Return of Nightmare Moon, the reinstating of Luna as Princess, the rediscovery of the Elements of Harmony, Discord's Return, the Great Gala disaster, The Canterlot Wedding, and the rise of Princess Twilight Sparkle-Herald of Friendship and Harmony. But now, for the first time in eons since its founding, the rulers of the various nations across Equus have come together to Canterlot in a meeting to discuss and deliberate on matters of great importance. From the ice covered lands of Griffonia, to the scorching deserts of Saddle Arabia, come the rulers of each nation, or an adequate representative. What most expect from this meeting is nothing more than a reestablishment of borders and trade agreements, what was about to occur, was much more.

As the sun sank into it's afternoon setting, the train from Ponyville arrived without much pomp or ceremony, and the dignitaries that stepped forth from the car were not met with celebration and cheering, but an empty station. As it was a Sunday, the ponies of Canterlot had retreated into their homes to rest and relax for the afternoon. Trudging through the empty streets, Farren looked around at the very same city he had escaped all those years ago, everything familiar, yet different to him.

"Are you alright Farren?" Twilight asked, noticing his wariness, "Do you want to go back?"

"No, no its not that Twilight, Im, just reminiscing about the times I spent here before. I must say, the city has changed much since I was here last..."

"Oh? How far back was that?"

"Hmm, was it...one hundred, no maybe two hundred years ago? No it was most definitely just shy of one hundred years."

"Oh, oh! What was it like back then? The records were all but blank about that period of time, only referring to it as 'The Canterlot Revolution'" Twilight's eyes sparkled in excitement as she asked her companion, her love for history and knowledge driving her forward as they walked through the empty streets of the city, "All I know is that Celestia told me that she had to remove the nobility at the time from their position of power, converting it into a council that held a fraction of the power over the city, and following that she moved here to keep an eye on them. Other than that the official records of that time are all wiped clean."

"Hmm, is that so? Well, for starters Canterlot was a busy place, the market was open all year round, the Hunter's guild and the Royal Guard bickered constantly, and the nobility were in charge, electing one of their own as governor of the city and keeping the peace."

"Hunter's guild? Whats that?"

"The Hunter's guild was an organisation that recruited ponies and other creatures to keep the local monster population at bay and prevent them from interfering with pony life. While they did not believe in the absolute extermination of every monster species, they did strive to keep the numbers in check so that ponies could stay safe in their own homes or on the road."

"Oh, I see."

On and on Farren told Twilight this hidden history, the lives of the ponies during this time and the bureaucratic contrivances of the old Court system. Midway through telling a tale about one of his more, 'morally ambiguous' forays into the city, they arrived at the gates to the palace. At the gate there stood two pony guards at attention, behind them and their impressive golden gate lay a bridge over an expansive moat and past that lay the keep. At the gate they are stopped by the guards who cross their spears and utter the time honored phrase, "Halt! Stand, and be recognized!"

"Its me, Twilight Sparkle. Oh, is that you uncle Bulwark? I haven't seen you in ages!" Twilight said, her eyes lighting up in recognition of the guard on the right who looked a little older than his partner.

"Hello there Princess, it is good to see you again." replied the old guard, his voice grating and low from his years in the Royal Guard yelling orders at recruits. "You are recognized and can pass. Welcome back to Canterlot."

"Uh, sir? What about this one?" came the uncertain voice of the other guard, obviously a recruit fresh out of basic on his first job by his shining armor, and quivering spear, "Do we let him pass?"

Looking to the other guest, Bulwark gazed into the shadowy recesses of the stranger's deep hood. "Who are you? State your business and intentions."

Stepping forward, the figure puts forward his hand from underneath his cloak and presents a badge in the shape of a shield with a curious design. While the recruit looks at this badge in suspicion and confusion, the older pony's eyes widen in surprise and surprisingly; reverance.

Looking up to the figure, Bulwark stepped forward, "Quid est Officium?" he asked, using a phrase ages old.

"Servitium ad Coronam Aeternam." Farren replied.

"Pass friend. I did not know that the Order survived. It is good to see you again sir."

After the exchange, the gate opened with a small squeak. Stepping through, Farren and Twilight crossed the bridge and entered the keep.

"What was that about Farren?"

"You'll know soon Twilight, it has to do with the meeting today."

Within the deep recesses of the castle, the meeting was taking place. Gathered around a circular table of impressive size, sat the leaders and various representatives of each nation on Equus that had allied itself with Equestria. Though it was a gathering of beings royal and noble in nature, dignified and civil these proceedings were not.

"Again I demand you show no tolerance to these dogs Celestia, they have gone too far this time!" bellowed a Minotaur of impressive size, his massive fist shaking the table.

"Yes, this I do believe, now is not the time to show reprieve." commented the Zebra Shaman sitting next to the Minotaur Chieftan.

"Still, one must consider that perhaps this was not of Strongjaw's doing, but in fact the actions of a splinter faction?" countered a griffon from the opposite side of the table, his claws tapping out a steady beat on the worn wood.

"Thank you for your input ambassador Friedrich. As for the rest of you, please keep your statements until the final members of our meeting arrive." came the soothing motherly tones of Celestia, before she takes a sip from her elaborate tea cup.

"Ahh yes, your supposed 'Uncle' and the new princess." the griffon ambassador said, resting his chin on his hand. "Though how a pony could come to be so old that you could call him 'Uncle'."

"Well, ambassador, that is because he is not quite a pony..." replies Celestia, before the doors to the room are pushed open, admitting a Royal guard from outside who came in to announce the new arrivals to the meeting.

"Dear ladies and lords, introducing Lady Twilight Sparkle; Princess of Friendship and Harmony, Magus Magnificent, Heir to the noble house of Starlight, Inheritor of Starswill's Will." Announced the guard, admitting the princess in question, who trotted in and took a seat next to Celestia blushing embarrassingly.

"Where is Farren Twilight? Did he decide to stay?" Celestia asked

"No Celestia, hes here, but he said that he needed to change before he arrived. Though why I don't kno-"

Again the door was opened and again the guard entered, cutting off Twilight. Pulling out a scroll from under his armor, the guard cleared his throat, announcing in a clear voice, "Dear ladies and lords, introducing Lord Farren; Grandmaster of the Order of the Night Phoenix, the Eternal Wanderer, and former adviser of the Everfree Castle Court."

The doors opened wider, admitting Farren, no longer garbed in a dirty and torn hooded cloak, but clothed resplendent in black shining robes with silver lining. His hair now combed and groomed into a sensible yet stylish ponytail, and his beard now trimmed down to a stylish and neat beard/goatee combo. As he stepped into the room his eyes seemed to be two pieces of coal burning in emerald flame, the room was silent in awe as the imposing figure quietly and quickly stepped to Celestia's seat and took his position behind her left shoulder in a traditional adviser position.

"Ahem, now that everyone is here, let us begin the meeting in earnest." began Celestia, "I assume that all here know of the incident that had occurred in the nearby town of Ponyville, where a den of diamond dogs had taken up residence and had begun to ponynapp the townsfolk before being discovered and arrested by the local guard forces." Each representative nodded in agreement.

"This one still stands by this one's statement that Alpha Strongpaw did not authorize that pack to hunt there. It was a separate group acting out against Strongpaw orders, like Friedrich says." came the growling yet still pleasant voice of a diamond dog from another side of the table, nodding to the ambassador in question.

Stepping closer to Celestia, Farren leans in and whispers something to her, her face though remaining stoic and unmoving, does twitch a few times in reaction to the subtle suggestion.

"My uncle here does have a question for you, ambassador Bolt." said Celestia, turning her head to the diamond dog, "How is Strongpaw these days? Doing well I hope?"

"Well...yes...Strongpaw is still...well...strong." came the reluctant reply from the ambassador, "Why do you ask, strange being?"

Turning his gaze to the ambassador, Farren replied, his voice smooth and sonorous, like a wave of warm air that curled around each being and settled their many worries.

"Dear ambassador, is it not of good constitution to ask for the health of one's friends? I ask merely because I am worried for my old companion and ally, it has been many moons since we last spoke, and I worry for him at times. Additionally, the Alpha of the den whom I confronted did say some alarming things, so I do wish to ask you of that as well."

"W-what do you wish this one to answer?" Came the barely audible reply, the ambassador's ears coming down and underneath the table, his tail began to curl underneath between his legs in submission to this being's imposing presence.

*"What is the true extent of Strongpaw's health? I do not believe that a dog in his position would have the years be lenient on him. Do not be coy I am intimate with diamond dog culture and your various traditions. I know of your kind's secret predilection for poisons and underhanded means of fighting. Now tell me; What Happened?"* Growling and grating came the harsh words, snapping everyone out of their trance, and none were more surprised than Bolt, who suddenly yelped and tried to back away from the table, only to fall out of his seat. Getting up onto his knees he lay prostrated there, whimpering in confused terror.

*"How do you know our words?! Only we know our words!"* exclaimed the ambassador in unnerved surprise

*"As I have said, He-Who-Runs-Quick, I am intimate with your culture and traditions. Know my name, for it is He-Who-Is-Father."* countered Farren, his words having a profound effect on the dog

*"No, it cant be!"* whimpered the dog

*"And yet it is, now, tell me."* came the firm yet gentle request

*"The Alpha is dying, Great One! Please help us! His sons have done nothing but fight each other for months, the dogs have split in two and one side has left for this land! Please, save us Father!"* Finally, came the whimpering reply.

Stepping towards the prostrated diamond dog, he knelt down and laid a hand on the stricken ambassador's shoulder, "there, that was all I needed, thank you. I will help you." And then held the dog's head in his hands and cradled him as he sat there whimpering.

"What in the name of Vater was that!?" came the screeching shout, breaking the atmosphere of the room into even smaller pieces than before.

Looking up, Farren gazed upon the shocked and utterly befuddled faces of each of the ambassadors in the room, their expressions ranging from outright shock to absolute horror and fear. Patting the ambassador one more time before sitting him down in his chair, he faces the gathered ambassadors.

"My Apologies, I had some suspicions of my own and I asked my niece to allow me to pursue it." nodding to Celestia, Farren continues, "But to summarize it is true that the den of dogs within Ponyville did act out on their own. However the source of the problem is much more difficult and nuanced than what it first seems."

"Define, 'difficult' herr Farren."

"What I mean Lord Friedrich, is that the diamond dog populace is undergoing a sort of civil war within the 12 clans in the mountains of Gryphus. Roughly half has split from the main group and went their separate ways to pillage and raid the lands of Ponyville."

"WHAT!?" came the collective shout from the gathered dignitaries. Followed by the thundering roar of each voice trying to be heard in a cacophony of noise.

"Maela"

Suddenly, all noise in the room cuts out. A heavy and thick silence settles on the room, each occupant save for two reaching for their throats and flapping their mouths open and closed desperately to speak. Celesta glared at her uncle playfully, semi-seriously she tapped her neck and waited. Shrugging, Farren gestured with his hand and sound came rushing back like a great river. However all within the room now looked to the princesses, waiting for her input.

"Now then," Celestia said clapping her hooves together, "Let us discuss how to approach this particular problem, starting with looking for the remaining rouge dens within Equestria."

Author's Note

CONSISTENCY DOES NOT EXIST IN MY REALITY! *crazed laughter*

But seriously tho mah lawd. Thats alotta words.
Thanks gents for reading...also feel free to comment and help me in my crusade against the dastardly heretical typo's and plot holes.

More in the works, gonna start writing the next chapter soon. Wish meh luck!