PonyHammer: Night Lord

Many ponies from the servants were afraid of the dark corridors of the barracks of the eighth company of the Lunar Pony legion. There was always a grave cold and a soft moonlight looming overhead, and the quiet wind seemed to whisper lulling threats, suggesting rest and never again to worry about anything. All this complemented the gloomy gothic style: stone gargoyles on columns and moon candles under the ceiling. As well as it is necessary to this design - corridors looked out-of-date, and even EbonyDream itself - the mare of the bet pony, serving the master almost one year, could not answer precisely, whether it is cozy here. It was like a house, but this whisper...

Despite the fact that its owner is inclined to refuse any excesses and delights, the rules and the task required the opposite, and in food it manifested itself more often. The owner preferred to eat raw meat and drink dirty, or toxic water, violating all the provisions of the Thunder Pony Codex on the quality of food to maintain standards-compliant physical mass. Because once again she will have to persuade him to eat a full meal and fruit. However, this was a self-serving plus - Ebony had to make an effort not to eat mangoes relying on the thunder pony of her people, it was a very expensive delicacy. A small but nonetheless double door was waiting for her for the next turn. She did not need to read the plate, his room is always here... And the presence of several other servants made her angry, given that she knew whose servants, in particular, FlowerKiss, the helpful pony of Captain Nightmare Flower, who hurried to push her ear away from the door so quickly, that fell on another maid who hurried to disappear, leaving them alone.
"You're listening again, Flower."
There was nothing new in this, she is constantly here when she is free. In fact, it is being exploited, but Ebony does not have to deal with this matter, if the gentleman does not think that this needs to be changed, then there is no need to do something. It's dangerous - the captain was not considered the most rational mare.
- Ebony! Stop sneaking up like this! - with a heavy breath she pronounced a pegasus of a dark blue color that at least slightly added respect to her in the eyes of the servants. Although it was not bright, like many others, it did not distract the look.
Ebony only pointed with the turn of her neck that she did not understand the conversation, and she pointed the wing behind her back, behind the scenes, ordering her to save the corridor from her presence. And only an apathetic look made her obey and evaporate, and of course this was helped by a glare of moonlight on an amulet around Ebony's neck - an amulet, which says that anyone who dares to contradict her, will answer to the Talon Master.

***

The door opened with a characteristic rumbling, made of steel and with loud locks, it specifically did not allow itself a quiet penetration inside. She went inside slamming the door behind her and going forward - she was not stopped by the standing smell of incense and incense, so sharp it beats in the nose that she wanted to cry... Nevertheless, she went forward, standing on the right side of the working chair and putting the tray on glass table. He was without armor, completely naked, scarred, muscular, massive, dark blue, he lay on his stomach with folded wings and a completely untidy purple mane. It was easy to understand what he thinks when his eyes are closed. But he is sitting in front of a huge mirror, under the right hoof is an info-board, while he is holding the left at the level of his head, pressing himself on the temple. Apparently, he is writing something important ... And again he talks to himself, Ebony only knew that she should be around.

***

Everything hurt, but my head hurt especially. It always happens after nightmares, this time it was again something that he did not see: blood, pain, death. In particular, as they all die in the consulate of the Trade Union of Las Pegasus, Canterlot - everywhere, however, this was not anything new. The princess said not to attach importance to these dreams. But it was difficult, more difficult than I would like. Experiencing one's own death every night is difficult.
"Sir, you have not slept for three weeks, your brain can not stand it anymore." You need rest. -
EbonyDream, I heard her come in, I heard her walk, I could hear Flower Flower breathing. My servants... I can not get used, it's wrong, but nevertheless... Practice has shown that it is necessary.
"Thank you for your concern, Ebony, I'll think about your proposal a little later." - smelled the smell of food even under the tray, it smelled very appetizing, but... I did not want to eat, or rather, I did not want to eat such dishes. Even Ebony has a greater right to eat it.
She was in her civilian uniform. Ebony is allowed to walk in what she wants, and she prefers simplicity, for which I love her.
Justifying its name, the color of her eyes and mane was ebonite, but the fur was sky-blue - one of the most frequent color scales of fur.
"Sir, you have not slept and have not eaten for a very long time, you need to gain strength." The Trade Union will not come to an Agreement without your help.
Despite the fact that the campaign was called "Liberation", we often had to return the lost cities to the bosom of the Kingdom, so we had to change the term. This was the right decision, we could not lie, the campaign became too bloody to remain that very dream.
- Your depression in connection with the latest events is understandable and justified. However, you are given a chance to be rehabilitated, I think, the Princess will forgive you if you cope with the new task.
Alas, Ebony, alas, I can not share your optimism, I've committed too much evil in order... to... at least once again be called the Talon Master, at least.
She opened the lid from the tray, and the smell instantly hit my nostrils. Especially fried meat.
"Ebony, please turn on the light." The silver light lit up the room, and Ebony lay sideways on the next sofa.
I did not understand this luxury, not to say that it was everyone's, but even when I was transferred to the rank of sergeant, my apartments in the cells were still more than worthy... Needless to deserve.

I could eat anything, Ebony was used to seeing my hunger, but nevertheless, I had to remain gallant. Taking the tablet next to the table, I began to eat. The work itself will not do.
"Captain Soarin and Prefector Fleur ask you for an audience, sir, they notified me of the urgency of this conversation."
Urgency, yes, urgency, the right word. I do not know who decided that this was a great idea, but I was appointed a diplomat on behalf of Equestria. Me, with my symbols of shame and one of the symbols of even greater shame, with dense massive chains that I carry even without armor. Fortunately, I have already learned how to walk in them and not rant on the whole district.
Ebony was happy, she still managed to persuade him. Now her master needed help, and considering that his entire squad was still in the medical corps of the Vermilion Alicorns on psychological rehabilitation, and the rest of the company now even looks askance at her even though she did nothing, at least not bad. However, if he continues at the same pace, it will also come in handy. And whether it is necessary to inform him of...
"You can not hide anything from me, Ebony, you forget that for me there are no secrets." -
nothing supernatural, just after you begin to read the emotions and feelings of the Matriarchs and Primarchs, not to mention the Princesses, the usual ponies can not hide emotions from me. Although, Ebony sometimes does this, but not this time.
"Sir, you've received a message from Flutterbat." Forgive me for listening to it, but it will be better if I tell you its essence... Now, will you?
The pause in her speech was quite long. She should not have listened to him. I saw this message three days ago, but did not open it, did not want it, I knew what was said there, and did not want to think about it. I'll read it later when I finish with the Union.
- No. I know what's out there, Ebony. Before you go, leave the mango and wine. And look in the closet.
There were my formal robes, but there was something more important. As soon as she opened it, an exact replica of the legion gladius and a crystal pistol looked directly at her.
"Why should I do that, sir?"
"I know what's going on with you, servants." This will deter those who decide to harm you.
She swallowed, for the bat-pony she was too peace-loving. I could have given it to her before, but I had an amulet.
"I think ... your patronage is more than enough for me."
- No ... No more, more I'm not the Talon Master. Now I can not say anything to anyone outside my squad.
- And how...
"Nightmare controls everyone, they will not say anything ... We have no choice, Ebony, the gun is loaded with poisonous crystals." Poison is paralytic, not flying.
She took it into the hooves and hung it under the robe, under the left wing. Gladius went under another.
"Thank you, sir." - she said, taking an empty tray and leaving the room. I can only hope that at least she will use the gun. I set up the info board for communication and sent Soarin and Fleur a message. It's time for us to discuss our plan, but before that I need to sleep.

***

Frankly, I was completely out of sorts for the morning. Despite the fact that we have long written such a thing as a sleep cycle, it still does not become more convenient. I suggested that they meet in the cell-barracks of the Heirs of the Princesses, Fleur kindly allowed me and Soarin to stay and discuss matters directly with her.
In fact, our deployment points were not very far away, our small temporary cells were disguised accordingly with our wishes as commanders. True, we were divided by the fact that my delegation is going to negotiate, and Nightmare will have to clean up the nearest forests from the Diamond Dogs and creatures with the remnants of our company. I'm interested in this only how much it will kill the fighters in the process.
- Valdes, Eighth Talon, "Terror Squad", I enter into your heavenly space.
"I confirm your telemetry data, you've been waiting, Sergeant."
So Soarin was faster, he offered the race and completely won it, and I was completely uninteresting to argue with Heavenly Scar at speed. If he suggests that I cross my claws, then you can talk.
Heirs met me according to all the laws of etiquette. Fortunately, I have knowledge of behavior in the upper strata, which make up many of them, although there are still more creative ponies. They looked at me as usual - askance. Most often, ponies or believe in what's behind my back, or vice versa, consider it an exaggeration. The only fun is that in fact they are right in everything.
Completely with combat equipment, some Heirs allowed themselves inappropriate remarks about my appearance and that the painted blood-red hoofs do not completely match my midnight blue with a few lightning bolts. And also, the wings of the bat on the helmet seem out of place due to the presence of my own, as well as the stupid chains. What can I say, the Heirs pull to look stylish. In my opinion, even more hypertrophied than the Iron Guard and Equestrian Hoofs love of apple cider.

Despite the fact that our physiology has changed, Fleur, whom I once saw during her performances in Canterlot, was still above us. Her white fur and pink mane were still soft in appearance and color. It was a little more massive than us, and only because it was already the largest. She was a polite mistress, and at the moment, commanded a local contingent of the Heirs. And it will be a dead man who thinks that this tender mare with a love of posing is a disgusting fighter, I'm certainly not exactly equal with her on blades.
Soarin considered himself a good guest and also brought some impressions to our table. On it, our changes are not very visible, it just increased in mass and growth, and also grew a long neck, like me, all the same sky-blue fur and soft blue mane color, and only a pair of "fiery" strands reminded him that he was a scar. We were all in fact only slightly smaller in complexion than the Princess, except for Fleur, she would have gone for the Princess ... If they themselves did not become twice as big after modifying.

While Fleur was pouring wine, he arranged maps and dossiers. It was also in the electronic version, but in this formal setting it was preferred to use scrolls paying tribute to the old times.

The room was furnished according to its high standards. However, to drag the podium into the cell was a completely disgusting idea, but it was not for me to judge it with my mirror on the whole wall. I felt a little embarrassed, because Soarin and Fleur clearly could read on their faces one thing - they do not like me. In particular, I think, because I'm no more than a sergeant. However, I am the senior in the diplomatic question of the Trade Union. However, awkwardness is not something that can hold me.
As I sit down at a table I can not call "tactical," the first thing I'm going to do is the general intelligence data at the moment. The rest took in their manner what they prefer: Soarin examines the military capabilities of the Union, Fleur is of current cultural value. I already know all this, I read it all last night. It was more simply to refresh the memory.

I, like many, still can not understand what eventually happened a year ago. The sudden storms of Chaos divide the world, and if we believe what Malcador told us during our training and formation of the Thundepony, there was a lot in Equestria - each city was separated and each time passed its own time. For example, when we arrived in Baltimare, we found out that the city had been fighting demons for ten years, dug in the port area and fighting there for its survival. Ten years, while for us it's been five months. And here it was even worse, the Trade Union experienced two or three generations of generations, about two hundred years. During this time, they became autonomous and independent, and more importantly, they developed their technology: lightning-rifles could not be compared with our plasma weapons. However, they outperformed the bolter in terms of power, and this was already enough, given the proliferation of these weapons. A primitive power armor for Pegasus... They could fly in it, which was inherently an achievement, without the strengthening of the wings. At least, at Thunder ponies wings reach almost two meters in the opened state, only this in fact allows me to fly in my power armor. The main thing is not to accelerate to Rainboom...
"They can set up an army comparable to the full Legion of the Thunder Pony, comparable in number to the Sky Scars." This means that if they want to fight, we do not have the resources for a full-fledged conflict. Fleur had only three tactical squads and her comrades, Blades of Equus. Soarin had one company, and Nightmare did not go against the orders and would not help us...
- Terrestrial ponies are servants working in the fields, and unicorns are forced to work in the enterprises by slave labor. Pegasus is the privileged people... There is not even a hint of harmony. -
Fleur repeated to him, explaining to us the simple truth that the Accord will destroy the Trade Union as a phenomenon, which means ...
"We need to persuade them to return to the fold of Equestria, and only with the arrival of greater forces will we be able to disarm them."
I could offer to collect my department and just destroy businesses, warehouses, the entire infrastructure, paralyze the trade council in horror, however ... I can not do this.
"If we can appeal to the old order, we can manage ourselves, but I think even Soarin understands that it's almost impossible to do this." -
he snorted, obviously offended by my words.
- For someone who is here on guest rights ...
"I mean, to whom, how can you not know about pegasus pride?" We really believe that we can just go in there and say "Now you're back in Equestria, free the slaves"? No one will agree without a reason, and given the dangers, I would not threaten.
"Valdez is right. We need to draw up a plan and a manner of behavior. Obviously, we must demonstrate strength, but excessive bravado will be superfluous. You can not provoke them. - Fortunately, Fleur chose not to show her negative attitude toward me and focus on the goal. Soaring bit off a piece of pie and continued.
- They have heavenly technology, as well as an air fleet. All this is decentralized and divided into spheres of influence of trading families. Ships are not that dangerous, but large-caliber lightning cannons are strong enough to damage the "Predators" or destroy jetbikes. Considering that we have practically no armored vehicles, this does not mean anything good.
Yes, the whole situation was based on the fact that we must either persuade them, or hope for the best.
- Fleur, what do we know about the leaders of trading families?
- Almost nothing. They are quite cultured and decent, as it seemed to the intelligence group, but no more. But we know that, in fact, they elect a representative. Alas, we can not bet on anyone, they elected a new one for the sixth term just last week.
We were late for a week, and we can not move anybody who we like. Just think about it!

***

In this vein, our whole evening passed: we made a plan, defined the behavior and actions in different situations. Fortunately, unlike them, I'm free from instructing subordinates. I am now the only Lord of the Night in the region.
- Valdes, I'm not sure that your armor will suit a diplomatic representative.
- At least remove the skull from your shoulder.
- No. Good evening, Prefector Fleur. Good evening, Captain Soarin. - I answered shortly and rigidly, rising from my seat. It was a more personal dialogue. We have already decided important matters, and I better return to the cell, I will prepare for tomorrow. But Soarin caught me outside.
- Valdes, do not explain your behavior?
- Are you my cappelan for me to do this?
I snapped at him neutrally, folding my wings and turning to him. He was not that angry, but just hurt. It's amazing that there is no Fleur here.
- I am the captain, Valdés, and while we are not in the territory of the Union, you are also answering me."-
- Remind me when it's okay. Showpony "Wanderbolt" became a soldier?
Discord from two I would listen to it, not to mention that we are from different legions. Soarin I could not call a good captain, he is a captain only because he still is in command with his Matriarch and other captains. Although, I will be honest, they are all there for this reason.
Now I frankly angered him, however, to my unconcealed surprise, he did not reach for his power saber.
"Now I understand why Nightmare and the other Lunar Pony captains call you" uncontrollable. " I did not think you were so stupid. - Try to manipulate my self-esteem? Not a bad attempt.
"You should listen to the words of Princess Luna and think about your behavior."
Still not bad enough that I already wanted to tear off his wings.
"You can trust me, I'll listen." - I turned, again spreading its wings.
"Prepare to play your part, Captain." I need all your skills from you.
The princess is right, but nevertheless, now I can not think about this, fresh scars on the muzzle on the eve of the diplomatic mission will be irrelevant.